Sasha and the Valentines

With a name that recalls Motown acts like Diana Ross & the Supremes, “Sasha” acts as an amalgamated alter ego for principal songwriter and vocalist, Sarah Addi, and the other members of the band: JB (bass), Billy (drums), Tim (aux. percussion), and borrowing its namesake from the Russian nickname for Alex (guitar). “Sasha” is a persona that Addi takes on, but is also a genderless character that can be embodied by everyone: the other band members or the audience themselves.

Crushing on the iconic sounds of ABBA and Blondie, Addi set out to create her own project that not only verbalized her emotions, but did so in a way that is purposefully vague and open-ended. Her lyricism is impressionistic—almost as though flirting with the meaning itself—leaving the words to be interpreted. Addi credits this ambiguity to the lingering shame of codependency in past relationships and coming to terms with her queerness. Their coquettish lead single, “Witches,” introduces the record with a striking staccato synth that gives way to the unfurling expanse of instrumentation. “Well you know you wanna talk about it,” Addi’s siren-like voice calls, drawing you in its depths.