Estella Dawn’s first single of 2022, “Salt,” is an emotional indie-pop song that wants you to keep pushing. The single sounds like a lost track from Halsey’s “Badlands” album. Her voice, like a less zealous Sia.
Appropriately titled, the single wants you to rub salt on your wounds and power through, even when you don't know if you can make it.
“We all have our own ways to cope, whether it’s having a cry sitting on the floor of your shower or screaming along to aggressive rock music in the car, buying too many house plants or finding comfort in somebody else's company, drinking, smoking, eating, the list goes on. We’re all just doing our best,” says Dawn.
The singer-songwriter-producer wrote this song about hitting a personal rock bottom and experiencing extreme frustration with the world. Writing this song was a way to connect with audiences about this universal experience of disappointment.
However, she doesn’t necessarily always view disappointments as bad. Only reminders and lessons “sometimes you just need to let tears flow and cleanse the things that you can’t control.”
Her lyrics, “I’ve learned my lesson, burnt out and stressing. Nothing comes easy. Nothing comes easy,” show this mindset perfectly.
Saying that it's okay, you got beat down; it's okay that you are stressed. Now, use this pain and learn a lesson, so you are not in this situation again. “Nothing comes easy” reminds us that all good things take time and effort. A reminder that the payoff will be worth it.
The New Zealand-born-U.S-based artist has released 16 singles since 2020. With her first single this year completed, Dawn is gearing up for a full-length album releasing later this year. As well as another single, “Buzzcut,” to be released in March.
With projects on the horizon and successful singles in her back pocket, Dawn is determined to keep her growth trend growing. Even if it means rubbing salt in her wounds.
By: Zac Strater