LA-based alt-pop artist Charlotte Sands has emerged as a distinctive voice in contemporary music. Known for her genre-blurring blend of alternative rock energy and emotionally candid songwriting, Sands has built a dedicated global following. Since making her debut in 2018 and breaking through with the viral success of ‘Dress’ in 2020, Sands has accumulated 300M+ streams, won Best Breakthrough Album at the Heavy Music Awards and toured with bands like My Chemical Romance and 5 Seconds of Summer, all while remaining a fully independent artist. Her sophomore album Satellite, released on March 6th, marks the next chapter in her evolution, expanding her sound while continuing her personal exploration of identity and vulnerability:
“Satellite was born from a search for meaning, identity, and self-worth,” Charlotte shares. “It’s a collection of moments from the last two years of my life—the highs and the lows, the joy and the grief. It’s about drifting, discovering, questioning your purpose, and learning to trust the quiet pull that brings you back to yourself.”
The album consists of 10 songs, including 5 previously released singles: ‘Afterlife’, ‘neckdeep’, ‘HUSH’, ‘back to you’, and ‘one eye open’. Starting off strong with title track ‘Satellite’, Sands not only expresses her position in her career in one of the very first sentences (“I’m here to stay”), but also lyrically explains that even though she is scared of heights, she won’t back down and get over her insecurities for this one person, being their satellite. The song builds on to a climax of alt-pop instrumentals and vocals, which continues into the next song ‘one eye open’, though this song sends an opposite message (“you keep me uneasy, just leave me alone”). The song discusses the feeling of a person being “too much” and realising that control can be easily mistaken for love. Sonically, the heavy instrumentals play into the stressed feeling of changing into survival mode and having to take space from a person.
Tapping into this topic, in the next song ‘HUSH’ Sands talks about an obsessed person and liking them better when they are quiet. With an intro sounding like it could fit right into Charli XCX’s brat album, the song is an absolute club anthem and surely one of the songs a crowd would go wild to when performed live with its highly danceable energy. With ‘half alive’, Sands returns to the alt-pop sound fitting with the first two songs, including a calmer beginning of the song, a guitar-heavy chorus and emotional lyrics that once again highlight the vulnerability that runs through the entire album.
Continuing to ‘Afterlife’, a more accessible song for people who are into alternative music, but not into super heavy music. It’s a vocally-focused song including a sort of rap part and smooth, emotional vocals. Its lyrics tie into those on ‘Satellite’, exploring a bond between two people rather than a feeling of having to run away. The lyric “if there’s no survivors and we don’t make it out alive, promise that you’ll find me somewhere in the afterlife” describes this connection between two people. The song balances emotional depth with an accessible melody that makes this one of the more “radio-friendly” songs.
The already released song ‘back to you’ ties back to ‘one eye open’ as well as ‘neck deep’, losing one’s own identity through what can be mistaken as love and through someone else’s control. Again, Sands’ iconic guitar-heavy instrumentals lead through every song and her vocals show raw and vulnerable emotions. ‘neck deep’ showcases the toxic behaviour of someone acting like they are fully in love and dedicated at first, when later on, they are distant and want nothing to do with you. The emotional frustration and confusion are clearly felt through both the lyrics and the intense instrumentals that carry the track.
The next song ‘water me down’ is an intimate and vulnerable song with soft instrumentals and emotional lyrics. “I can be the perfect girl, easier to handle me now, so go on and water me down, I’ll do my best not to drown” are striking lyrics that express the willingness to adjust to someone else as opposed to “being too much”, but being at risk of losing oneself in doing so. Sands truly shares her insecurities and emotional vulnerability here in an excellent way. The stripped-back production allows the lyrics to stand at the center of the song, making the emotional message more powerful.
Moving to ‘None of my Business’, we change back into an up-beat song that invites listeners to angrily jump around in their room, giving all their energy. It’s sure to be a live success and one of those songs to damage your vocal chords because you’re screaming along too loudly. The rebellious attitude and the explosive chorus make it a standout track for those who enjoy Sands’ heavier side.
The album closer, ‘Sunday’ is again a calmer song and also a more poppy song, getting rid of the heavy instruments, allowing listeners to close off the album with a lighter feeling, also lyrically (“I really like myself when I’m with you”). While the album feels like a rollercoaster of emotions, ‘Sunday’ encompasses happiness, love and self-confidence, showing Charlotte Sands’ growth throughout the album. This end to the album feels intentional, as if Sands also wants listeners to close off the album with a sense of self-acceptance and calmness.
Overall, Satellite highlights Charlotte Sands’ ability to blend vulnerability with powerful and heavy production, while telling deeply personal stories. The album moves between guitar-driven tracks, danceable songs and softer, introspective lyrics, creating a dynamic and honest listening experience. By opening up about insecurity, identity and complicated relationships, Sands creates songs that listeners will recognise themselves in. Satellite ultimately feels like a confident step forward in her career and shows that Charlotte Sands continues to grow not only as a songwriter, but also as an artist taking her own steps in modern alternative pop.
Written by: Marloes Joosen
Edited by: Sabine de Graaf
