“Make You Sad” – Michaela Slinger | Review | Unheard Gems

Odd that a song titled “Make You Sad” would fill me with such contentment when I listen to it.

Michaela Slinger releases her new single “Make You Sad” which is a beautiful indie-pop track. Her youthful sound swells with energy and incredible harmony-rich melodies. There is something quite nostalgic and calming about Slinger’s voice. Her indie centric sound blended with electronic flourishes is something to be admired and enjoyed.

“The story goes that I was singing before I could talk. I gave my first public performance at the age of three singing the anthem at a sold-out NBA game (see my YouTube channel for proof). From there, I was hooked. I immersed myself in musical theatre, vocal lessons, piano, and dance, and had big plans to be a Broadway star.” – Michaela Slinger

Slinger took a break from prioritizing music to attend a small liberal arts school in the mountains of Squamish, BC, although she kept writing and performing casually at open mics. After graduating at 20, she jumped into a full-time job at a non-profit organization. This left Slinger feeling underwhelmed and trapped—but it led to furious writing sessions in her apartment that developed her folk and singer-songwriter roots into a bolder electro and indie-pop sound. When the voice in her head got loud enough, Slinger quit her salaried job to focus on music.

Slinger independently released her debut single and music video, “Flux” (produced by Nygel Asselin, Half Moon Run), in July 2019 to streaming success and commercial radio play. “Her timeless voice sets the tone of the track, playfully running through the song’s lyrics like a young Serena Ryder”. Post-Flux, Slinger’s career rapidly took new shape. Between November 2019 and January 2020, her captivating live show—an immersive blend of gripping song delivery, hilarious storytelling, and comforting candidness—took her from performing in small Vancouver venues to bigger size venues like the Biltmore Cabaret, the Imperial, and the Vogue. She signed with 604 Records in February 2020.

Slinger is working on her debut album with JUNO award-winning Kevvy (Carly Rae Jepsen, Fake Shark) and two-time Polaris Prize listed and JUNO-nominated Louise Burns, set for release in spring 2021.