LO LA Is Vulnerable About Toxic Relationships On New Single “SOBER”
Samantha Colleran, June 2023
LO LA has always had a knack for singing about the sweeter sides of love that make you feel light and giddy with excitement. However, on her newest single “SOBER”, we see a new side of LO LA’s songwriting; it highlights the heartbreak, confusion, and pain that comes along with breaking away from a toxic relationship. LO LA shares that the track was written, produced, and recorded entirely by women during the Harold Adamson Workshop hosted by ASCAP, making the track even more impactful.
Speaking about the song, LO LA says that using the metaphor of being sober was really important to her to get the message of moving on from an addictive relationship across to listeners, “It’s about getting to a point where you’re emotionally clear and free from the toxicity of the past”. The overall beat is trippy, allowing LO LA’s lower range to shine as she sings “How am I supposed to say sober / Now that it’s over”. You feel the sense of desperation to move on from the relationship in her voice as you float through the first verse and chorus, while the second chorus highlights the next phase in moving on where LO LA tries to move on but feels herself longing for the past. Internal conflict continues throughout the song, leaving on an unexpected melancholic note; it’s new songwriting territory for LO LA and it’s exciting to hear something a little darker from the singer.
One thing that carries through from LO LA’s previous upbeat tunes to the more dramatic “SOBER” is her ability to connect with an audience. LO LA hooks listeners from the get go by being an honest writer and tapping into her emotions, something I know many people look for when they’re listening to music. Singing about the ups and downs of navigating life post break up with someone who wasn’t good for you is an experience that many can relate to, and using the idea of being sober from the other person’s love is a unique way to show people who have been through or are currently going through such a difficult moment in time that they aren’t alone.
The track will be available on June 2, so be sure to presave it on your preferred streaming service so it’ll be added to your library on the release date! Follow LO LA on Instagram and TikTok to stay up to date on all things “SOBER”!