Feature | Love Forever

Love can be all kinds of complicated, and Shara Strand fearlessly dives into her own experiences with it in her latest album, Love Forever. A two-time Billboard dance charting artist, Strand is not a stranger to the stage or studio. This thirteen track album release on June 10th marked the end of a musical hiatus for the New York based artist.

I had not heard Strand’s music previously, but she wasted no time in introducing herself in Love Forever.This album makes it clear from the beginning that Strand is not going to beat around the bush with her feelings. Whether she is singing about overcoming obstacles to stand firm in her love, or scorning a love lost with the haunting premise of Desperado, Strand wears her heart on her sleeve throughout this album. I was pleasantly surprised by how well her blend of genres worked. Sultry, flirtatious lyrics matched a funky dance beat in My Green Light and Lioness, songs that spoke to the fun and excitement that new romance can bring.

Interwoven between these upbeat tracks are ballads such as Surrender that explore later and more intimate stages of relationships. I like how she uses the feel of different types of genres (pop, soul, a bit of folk even) to fit each story being told. I was transported from romantic comedy montages, to a hazy dance floor, to a grieving daughter pouring her heart out. Each one evoked a different vivid image, and yet the transitions from one to the next simply illustrated the ebb and flow of love.

In all, this album ties together in what I can only describe as an all inclusive journey through love’s ups and downs. I felt the heartbreak of betrayal followed by the fresh hope of new romance, and through Strand’s powerful voice, I could see the beauty in all of it.