SabrinaFan Ranks and Reviews Every Em Beihold Song

[SabrinaFan]

Like many folks, “Numb Little Bug” going viral is how I discovered Em Beihold. I checked out “Too Precious” when it came out, and I really liked that too, which is ultimately what led to me checking out some other aspects of her discography. Not only do I love her voice, but her self-described “quirky pop” genre is definitely right up my alley, as I am a big fan of experimental pop music. In the past year, I’ve become a big fan of hers and have started following her music. I’d listened to most of her recent discography prior to this, but I hadn’t checked out the Infrared EP that she released in college, and I found that some of her songs I previously found unmemorable really grew on me. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be doing a deep dive on Em Beihold’s discography, and will be ranking and reviewing each song a day at a time in order of favorite to least favorite. Em currently has 16 songs in her discography (21 as of February 9, 2024), I will keep up with reviewing new songs as they come out and ranking them amongst the rest of her discography. With her Infrared EP, I am not going to include that as part of the discography ranking and will post all my reviews separately. With the exception of the first track, I honestly found the EP to be monotonous and a bit challenging to get through, due to the fact that every song is a ballad that is basically about the same topics over and over. As an attempt to speed things up, I wanted to separate it from the rest of her discography so it’s not just a week of me posting that I didn’t find songs enjoyable haha.

I'm currently traveling, and I'm envisioning there may be some new Sabrina songs to review with the deluxe edition of 'Emails I Can't Send' coming out this Friday. That being said, I am planning to start this discography review on Wednesday, March 22, and it will go through Friday, April 7. I'm looking forward to embarking on this journey through another artist's music!

21. Phone (with Meduza and Sam Tompkins)
20. Spiderman
19. Blink of an Eye
18. Drive by Lovers (with Peachy King)
17. Goo
16. Roller Coasters Make Me Sad
15. Fantasy (with Lauren Spencer-Smith and Gayle)
14. Pedestal
13. Forgive Yourself
12. Nobody Else
11. Porcelain
10. House on a Hill (with Eric Nam)
9. Maybe Life Is Good
8. City of Angels
7. 12345
6. Egg in the Backseat
5. Too Precious
4. Painful Truth
3. Groundhog Day
2. Until I Found You (with Stephen Sanchez)
1. Numb Little Bug

[SabrinaFan]

Excited to be finally starting this! As promised in the first post, I'm going to start off by posting the Infrared reviews first, given all of these tracks are very similar and I didn't want six days in a row of me basically saying the same thing haha.

Infrared
Album: Infrared EP (2017)
I like the piano intro to this! The guitar riff is kind of an interesting little touch to the production, and I love how fluid the instrumental is overall. It’s interesting to hear the difference between her current work and her first ever EP. The song feels very folksy and her voice almost has a tiny little bit of a twang to it, which is really intriguing. Lyrically, the song talks about a relationship gone wrong, where Em realizes that her love interest was simply putting on a false act of who they were. The repetition of the chorus gets to be a bit much, but this was a lot better than I was expecting her early work to be, and I can definitely see how it inspired her current stuff.

Child of the Moon
Album: Infrared EP (2017)
This one almost sounds a little country-folkish to me, which is not a sound I would have expected to hear in an Em Beihold song. The song talks about how Em feels different than everyone else (a “child of the moon” as she puts it), as she laments how she feels excluded and judged by others for her oddness. It’s a bit simple and not my favorite of hers, but nonetheless, I still enjoy this one.

Calculated
Album: Infrared EP (2017)
I wasn’t a big fan of this one. The lyrics here discuss Em’s feelings of pain and isolation. This is a fine enough ballad, but it’s kinda too simplistic. The instrumental felt like it could have been a bit more than it was, and I feel a bombastic chorus might have worked better here. Her stuttering “calculated” in the chorus also begins to become a bit grating towards the end.

Not Who We Were
Album: Infrared EP (2017)
I felt Infrared started off really strong, but it kinda got progressively weaker as it kept going. The song lyrically discusses Em trying to find herself, but feeling ultimately unsatisfied with who she is, and pain that she is unable to figure her identity out. While I haven’t talked about the better tracks yet, I felt this song is kind of thematically repetitive to “Child of the Moon” and “Calculated.” The sad piano melody is kinda lifeless and feels a bit generic, and Em’s moaning during the post-chorus does not sound particularly good.

Thrown to the Wolves
Album: Infrared EP (2017)
I like this one a little better than the other tracks on the EP, sans “Infrared,” because the chorus packs a bit of a punch with the drums and isn’t as lifeless as previous songs. Lyrically, the song talks about feeling like she is alone in the world, equipped to handle how frightening it is. I feel this would have been a better song had it not been so cohesive with the rest of the EP, but it does have a little bit of appeal with the chorus and her haunting pronunciation of “wolves.”

Just Fine
Album: Infrared EP (2017)
The title is very fitting for my opinion on the song lol. I had high hopes at the beginning of the EP because the folkish sound was intriguing, but ultimately, the EP ended up being kinda too ballad heavy for my liking. The production here is kinda lifeless and a bit thematically repetitive, as it just talks about being guarded because she feels alone in the world.

[SabrinaFan]

16. Spiderman

Album: Egg in the Backseat EP (2022)

The lyrics to this are great, so it’s a shame that the production is so stale and lifeless. Em sings about how she realizes that a relationship is not working, citing herself as the problem. What I find most lyrically fascinating is how she talks about how she wonders whether her opinion of her lover is just her projecting what she wants him to be. She laments how it’s “safer to dream through a screen in my bed,” which I feel is a great lyric, because phones and long-distance do have a way of making romantic relationships feel different than they might if they were in-person. The production, however, does not fit this and is just kind of a generic sad instrumental, whereas I think they could have made it more dramatic and/or haunting to reflect the pain and uncertainty Em is singing about here.

[jasper0102]

Yeah i agree with Spiderman being this low. It doesn't help that it feels like an odd way to close the EP, given how different it is from the rest of said EP.

[SabrinaFan]

15. Blink of an Eye

Album: Non-album single (2019)

Yay another slow ballad haha /sarcasm. The message of this one is at least sweet, and the production is a bit more fluid than previous ones. The lyrics encourage us to be hopeful about life, because things can always change for the better. The “every experience in life is an adventure” mindset is cute and I definitely have an appreciation for it, and I would say this is a step above the Infrared ballads.

[SabrinaFan]

14. Drive By Lovers (with Peachy King)

Album: Non-album single (2021)

While I wouldn’t call this a favorite and likely wouldn’t return to it, it was a cute little ballad. Peachy Keen’s voice is alright, nothing particularly special. I think Em’s vocals sound great here, though! They don’t really have much chemistry together, so it’s not a great song on that front. The song’s message is very simple; the lyrics are basically just vowing to find another lover as Peachy and Em reminisce about a love that did not work out. The barebones guitar production is kinda airy and nice, which definitely works in the song’s favorite The little summery interlude as we hear cars drive by and Peachy hums is peaceful, and is a nice end to the song.

[SabrinaFan]

13. Goo

Album: Egg in the Backseat EP (2022)

This one was middling for me when I first checked it out last summer. However, I will say I liked this one on relisten more than I originally did. The production hits that same quirky note as “Numb Little Bug” does, but it’s not quite as catchy. I really like the speed-up in the chorus and the layered vocals. Lyrically, the song talks about feeling unappreciated and unnoticed by a love interest who does not reciprocate the romantic feelings. The energy Em brings to the chorus is pretty infectious and I like the punchy lyrics, but the production doesn’t quite click for me.

[SabrinaFan]

12. Roller Coasters Make Me Sad

Album: Non-album single (2023)

This is a different sound for Em, and I like it for the most part. I like how she uses an amusement park metaphor for her experience within the music industry. Em has discussed in interviews how surreal it has felt for her music to blow up like it has, and Em opens up in the song’s lyrics that fame can feel like a rollercoaster at times with the sudden attention, because sometimes that attention is validating and other times it’s frightening. I appreciate how vulnerable she has been about her experience with the industry, because I can imagine that fame isn’t all positive. It is likely difficult to process all the different things happening every day when you are suddenly world famous, so it’s great to see her get vulnerable and express her feelings of being lost and having lack of control. I really like how she uses various lines throughout the song as metaphors for the downfalls of fame and success, like the “capitalist venture” line which is a metaphor for the music industry and how you are supposed to write songs that will make money and appeal to a broad audience, which can at times mean that an artist isn’t able to put out music which is authentic to them. I’m not sure if I love the jumpy production and melody of the chorus even if it does fit the “roller coaster” metaphor., but I think the production sounds good in the verses.

[SabrinaFan]

11. Forgive Yourself

Album: Non-album single (2020)

This track really stands out to me for being such a solid ballad, but even among Little Bugs (I think that’s the name for her fanbase? haha), I feel this song is majorly underrated. This song is easily Em at her most vulnerable, as the song is about all the things Em wishes she could say to her friend who took his own life. The soft guitar melody fits really well with Em’s somber vocals, and I also really love how the instrumental post-chorus sounds a little hopeful, as she urges others to cherish their own lives and appreciate what they have. Reflecting on it, I think that’s what makes me like the song as much as I do – the fact that through Em sharing her experience, she is also able to put out a message about loving oneself that is relatable to everyone. This is a highlight of her discography.

[jasper0102]

Mar 26, 2023 9:17:47 GMT -5 SabrinaFan said:

13. Goo

Aw. I’d put this a lot higher, as this is my favorite song on the EP not named Numb Little Bug.

Mar 27, 2023 7:55:50 GMT -5 SabrinaFan said:

12. Roller Coasters Make Me Sad

I’d also put this higher, this grew on me a lot after first listen.

[SabrinaFan]

10. Nobody Else

Album: Non-album single (2021)

One of Em’s biggest strengths as an artist is how fluid the production is on a lot of her songs, and this one is no exception. The gentle instrumental in the verses sounds great, but it sounds even better as the beat kicks in flowing into the chorus. Em lyrically reflects on her own identity and how she wishes for a perfect life where she was never anxious, but she ultimately realizes through this pondering that no one has a perfect life, and she is just happy to be herself. Em’s excitement and vulnerability throughout the song really shines through here, and makes this one a really enjoyable listen.

[SabrinaFan]

9. Porcelain

Album: Egg in the Backseat EP (2022)

I have to admit, some of these non-singles on the EP a lot better than I remember! I like how much of a punch the production packs. I like how she reverses the typical song structure here by making the verses super powerful and having the chorus be a bit of a melodic slow-down, before we lead into the feisty verses again. Em is really lyrically creative in this song with the metaphors she’s using to express her anxiety and sensitivity. “I’m a bull in heat in a glassware zoo” is particularly a great lyric and she deserves major props for the quirky metaphors here. The bit where she censors herself from saying “ass” (“what a pain in the *sigh*”) is also super cute! There is a lot of pressure on emerging artists to be edgy or sexual for quick fame, but I think it’s kinda sweet that she is staying true to her desire not to swear if she’s not comfortable with it.

[jasper0102]

Im surprised you didn't mention Em sort of rapping on Porcelain. Tbh that's what irked me the most about it when i first listened. The song's still really good though.

[SabrinaFan]

Mar 30, 2023 7:34:27 GMT -5 jasper0102 said:

Im surprised you didn't mention Em sort of rapping on Porcelain. Tbh that's what irked me the most about it when i first listened. The song's still really good though.

That “how can you say that I’m all talk, when I’m breaking when you walk, shouldn’t come as a shock” bit is actually my favorite part of the song haha. It’s a different sound for her but I thought it worked well even if it is a bit quirky and out there. There are a lot of these songs I would have wanted to rank higher but she has so many good ones it was hard to choose.

[jasper0102]

Mar 30, 2023 12:49:50 GMT -5 SabrinaFan said:

Mar 30, 2023 7:34:27 GMT -5 jasper0102 said:

Im surprised you didn't mention Em sort of rapping on Porcelain. Tbh that's what irked me the most about it when i first listened. The song's still really good though.

That “how can you say that I’m all talk, when I’m breaking when you walk, shouldn’t come as a shock” bit is actually my favorite part of the song haha. It’s a different sound for her but I thought it worked well even if it is a bit quirky and out there. There are a lot of these songs I would have wanted to rank higher but she has so many good ones it was hard to choose.

I meant the “And I hate myself but I love myself, but I blame myself like no one else, and it never helps when you blame me too, you’re a bull in heat in a glassware zoo” part lmao.

[SabrinaFan]

Mar 30, 2023 17:38:59 GMT -5 jasper0102 said:

Mar 30, 2023 12:49:50 GMT -5 SabrinaFan said:

That “how can you say that I’m all talk, when I’m breaking when you walk, shouldn’t come as a shock” bit is actually my favorite part of the song haha. It’s a different sound for her but I thought it worked well even if it is a bit quirky and out there. There are a lot of these songs I would have wanted to rank higher but she has so many good ones it was hard to choose.

I meant the “And I hate myself but I love myself, but I blame myself like no one else, and it never helps when you blame me too, you’re a bull in heat in a glassware zoo” part lmao.

I actually like that part too; "a bull in heat in a glassware zoo" is a very creative and unique metaphor lol.

[SabrinaFan]

8. City of Angels

Album: Non-album single (2020)

I really like this one! The piano riff makes this a really nice ballad, and her flow in the chorus is infectious. The song features Em singing about one of her friends, who has changed for the worse and has become vain. This is lyrically one of Em’s best, due to the complexity of the message and how the first verse is kind of an exposition for the chorus. Em discusses vulnerability in the first verse, singing “I don’t know, what the feeling’s like to be comfortable with a stranger in your skin,” as a way to explain how she does not believe her friend is behaving like themselves. The lyrics lament the pain of being ghosted by this person, who is now so full of themselves with their fame that they cannot be bothered to maintain their friendship with Em. I particularly like how Em makes this specific situation to her so relatable to others, particularly in the bridge where she rebukes her friend by attempting to convince them that there is more to life than getting the validation of others’. In the age of social media, this is a very relatable message, because social media and fame give us instant validation that ultimately means nothing and doesn’t last. I like how Em blends her personal experiences with broad themes and relatable lyrics, particularly “it’s hard having a heart” and “waitin' for someone to tell you you’re pretty, you’re enough” stand out as really solid lyrics that simply yet effectively convey the struggles many of us have had with validation.

[SabrinaFan]

7. 12345

Album: Egg in the Backseat EP (2022)

When Em’s EP first came out last summer, this was the standout track for me, and it still is. Em shows us a very vulnerable side of herself here by opening up about her anxiety. The song’s structure is really creatively intriguing, where the lyrics of the verses are her racing thoughts over a soft piano melody, until the chorus explodes into a more traditional upbeat pop song as she talks about trying to calm herself down from the panic attack she is having. The music video to this is super cute too, and I love how Em provides tips to calm yourself down from a panic attack during the bridge in the video. I honestly thought it would go more viral than it did on TikTok because of that little bit, but sadly the song didn’t really do anything chart-wise. As somebody who struggles with anxiety, this song has such a great message and I am glad Em made this. This is definitely one of my favorites off of the EP. Also, I have to say I love the little uplifting sound we hear in the last three seconds of the song (presumably to denote that she’s gotten past the panic attack she’s singing about).

[SabrinaFan]

6. Egg in the Backseat

Album: Egg in the Backseat EP (2022)

I admit I was a little disappointed the first time I heard this, because I had high hopes that this was going to be ridiculous given Em’s pre-release description of it being a “club banger about an egg.” However, my opinion quickly switched on this one, the instrumental is catchy as heck, and the glissando instrumental on the piano works amazingly into the song. The song has Em singing about how she knows getting lost in a relationship is a bad idea, but she is so madly in love with the person that she doesn’t care. The lyric “I know that love can be blind but/no one said you get absent-minded” is a really fun lyric, and in fact the whole bit after the final chorus is so catchy and enjoyable. I love how Em’s not taking herself too seriously here, and it seems like she had a ton of fun writing this song. This one is definitely a banger and one of my favorite Em songs.

[SabrinaFan]

5. Too Precious

Album: Egg in the Backseat EP (2022)

The groovy, smooth production of the verses flowing into a more bombastic chorus here is so much fun! Em’s energy as she claps back at those who call her “too precious” is so sassy! Em has discussed in an interview that someone in her life called her “too precious” for not wanting to get high and binge drink. The message of the song is so good and relatable. I have personally never understood the appeal of getting blackout drunk, because for me, it isn’t “fun” if you don’t remember anything lol. I have certainly had people in college call me too precious and too innocent as a result, and my opinion on it is quite similar to what Em presents in the song. Em’s lyrics boast that she has fun in her own way, and doesn’t need to conform to the societal norms or peer pressure that you need to get wasted to have a good time. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with drinking, there are so many songs out there promoting binge drinking that I think it’s awesome that Em was able to put her own perspective out there that there’s other ways of having fun besides binge drinking, and comfort zones should be respected.

[jasper0102]

Too Precious is great, that chorus is ridiculously fun to sing along to.

[SabrinaFan]

4. Painful Truth

Album: Non-album single (2020)

I was expecting this to be another sad ballad, so it was a pleasant surprise to hear a bouncy, snappy beat. The verses sound nice, but I was really excited when the chorus came around and the beat fully kicked in. The lyrics in which Em laments about being addicted to falling in love are an absolute earworm, especially in the chorus. The chorus really packs a punch and is the defining characteristic of this song being as good as it is. The contrast between Em’s depressing lyrics about feeling broken and the bouncy chorus is really fascinating, and is another part of what makes the song as good as it is. I was not expecting to like this as much as I did, but I will definitely be listening to this again.

[SabrinaFan]

3. Groundhog Day

Album: Non-album single (2021)

This is one of the first Em songs I ever heard, and I have to admit I really enjoy it and relate to it to an extent. The song talks about feeling like you are not moving forward in life, and that every day is just monotonously the same. Em has been open that she lives with her parents, which is something I really admire. There is a lot of shame around living with your parents after you’re 18, so the fact that she is so open and nonchalant about admitting it is super cool. I relate to the message a bit, as I graduated college in May 2020 during the pandemic and ultimately had to live with my parents for a bit, since they sent everyone home from the residence halls. I feel society is pervaded with this image that if you are living with your parents, you are some burnout stoner watching reruns of SpongeBob in the basement, which is not the case for everyone. Some people, like myself with the pandemic, have legitimate reasons for needing to live with their parents for a little while, so I really love how Em openly talks about it in the song and the struggles she’s had with feeling like she’s not moving forward in life. I haven’t even gotten to the production yet, but it’s so upbeat and infectious. I really like how she uses the piano riff and bass in the production, and it gives the song a quirky, fun feel. This is a highlight of Em’s discography.

[SabrinaFan]

2. Until I Found You (with Stephen Sanchez)

Album: Non-album single (2022)

This is one of the few songs in existence where I don’t have a preference between the original or the remix, I think both are amazing! I really like the dreamy, 50s-esque production here, and I think Stephen’s voice fits amazingly with the instrumental. Em works very well with this song as well, and her contributions avoid the trap of feeling like a tacked-on verse in a remix. The lyrics dive into Stephen’s profession of feelings for his girlfriend Georgia, boasting that she is the best part of his life and has improved it significantly for the better. I’m still a little sad this didn’t see success on pop radio, it’s such a bummer that it went top 10 and then instantly went recurrent. I’ve been happy to see that a lot of Hot AC stations and my local pop station continue to play this though, and it’s been awesome to see how well this is doing on streaming!

[jasper0102]

Kinda sad this is probably gonna be leave the charts before it hits 52 weeks, but it was still amazing seeing this sorta resurge and become a hit after i thought it's moment came and went last year.

[SabrinaFan]

1. Numb Little Bug

Album: Egg in the Backseat EP (2022)

We’ve gotten to my favorite Em song, and it’s her most popular one. “Numb Little Bug” went viral for good reason, it’s insanely catchy and relatable. The quirky production sounds so good and I’m glad she ended up going with this, as Em has mentioned in interviews that at a few points in the early development, the song had an intergalactic production and a punky vibe. The song lyrically explores Em’s feelings of burnout and anxiety in almost kind of a tongue-in-cheek way, which really works well with the quirky production. Em has explained that the song arose from her mom calling her “ungrateful” when Em said she wasn’t feeling anything from the success of previous viral song, “City of Angels,” due to the antidepressant she was on making her feel numb. Em made the song to explain to her mom the numbness she was feeling, and the burnout that many of us feel sometimes in our daily lives. I’m glad this was such a big hit for her and I hope she’s able to get another hit again someday!

That's it for this discography review! As Em puts out new music, I will continue to review her new material and say where it would have landed in these rankings. Since I can't edit post order, a list has been posted in the OP which I will update as I rank her new songs, to make it easier to follow the order. In case you missed it, a very strange new collaboration that Em is doing with Lauren Spencer-Smith and Gayle will be out next Friday, so I will post my review of the song that day. Thanks so much to everybody who followed along, and I hope you enjoyed reading these rankings and reviews!

[jasper0102]

This was fun to follow through, and Numb Little Bug is number-one as it should! And I do wanna hear your thoughts on Fantasy/Bang Bang part 2, I’m probably gonna tune in out of curious bewilderment.

[SabrinaFan]

Apr 7, 2023 10:12:03 GMT -5 jasper0102 said:

This was fun to follow through, and Numb Little Bug is number-one as it should! And I do wanna hear your thoughts on Fantasy/Bang Bang part 2, I’m probably gonna tune in out of curious bewilderment.

Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for following along! :)

[SabrinaFan]

12. Fantasy (with Lauren Spencer-Smith and Gayle)

Album: Non-album single (2023)

Somebody in the thread for the song called it “Bad Decisions Part 2,” and quite frankly, I agree with them as this is a very weird and random collaboration. While I’m not over the moon about this one, I feel like this one will definitely be a grower for me. On first listen, it feels like there is so much going on in this song with all the different artists involved. This is especially given the artists aren’t limited to their own verses. Em chimes in during Gayle’s verse and the second chorus for background vocals, and the ending is a “grand finale” of sorts where they all sing at the same time. Surprisingly, I felt the artists have decent chemistry together. Lauren Spencer-Smith and Gayle sound somewhat alike, in a way that reminds me of how Lauv and Troye Sivan sound almost like it could be the same person in their collab, “I’m So Tired.” I think Em’s contributions to the song were used well, as she has a very different style from Lauren and Gayle, but it was put to good use by having her do the bridge and background vocals in the chorus. The song lyrically talks about looking back on a past relationship, and realizing that the person is so self-centered that the relationship could not have worked out. The production sounds pretty good here, particularly in the chorus. I wasn’t really sure what to think of this collaboration at first, and the first listen was a bit overwhelming as there was a lot going on with all the different artists jumping in at random parts of the song. However, in the three times I’ve listened to this so far today, it kinda feels like it’s growing on me each time.

Remember that since I can’t edit post order, this is the new #12. Everything else, beginning with “Roller Coasters Make Me Sad,” is bumped up one spot. A running list at the top is in the OP to reflect the current order.

[SabrinaFan]

18. Phone (with Meduza and Sam Tompkins)

Album: Non-album single (2023)

I found this to be a really weird song, and is at this moment, my least favorite in Em's discography. The production is fun enough, but the lyrics are kinda cringey. The song lyrically discusses the singer feeling depressed, wanting desperately to talk to his former lover on the phone, but she refuses to return his calls. The song utilizes breakup puns related to phones to get across its message, and many of them are kind of awkward and cringey, most notably Em saying "Now I'm gonna leave you at the tone." I'm not familiar with any of Sam Tompkins' music (although I have heard the sample of his Bruno Mars cover on Jnr Choi's "To the Moon") but his voice sounds pretty decent on this. Judging this against the rest of Em's discography, Em feels very generic and unlike herself here. She lacks the energy and personality she usually has here, and she doesn't bring anything unique to the song. Honestly, I feel they could have put any female pop singer on this and it probably would come out similarly. Between the cringey lyrics making it feel a little funny-bad, and Em sounding totally distant and unlike herself here, this is a skip from me and I probably won't return to this.