One thing you should know about me is that my favorite kind of music is what I like to refer to as “sad girl indie pop.” There are some genre staples in terms of artists in this category. For instance, I’m a big fan of Phoebe Bridgers, Gracie Abrams, Noah Kahan, Lizzy McAlpine, and so many others I don’t have time to list. They all make music that fits remarkably well into this category, which can be defined as music that allows me — a certified sad girl — to lie down in bed, stare at the ceiling, and feel.Â
Do you know who else fits super well into this category? Leanna Firestone. Her music is like a breath of fresh air… and I found her entirely by accident. Firestone, like many other creators, gained popularity in 2020 through TikTok. It’s through this platform that I was able to discover her while randomly scrolling through the endless abyss that is the TikTok For You Page. Firestone’s TikTok, which initially started as an anime account and later morphed into a music account as she began to grow, has been crucial in her success as a musician.Â
I discovered Firestone the summer before starting at Florida State, and I don’t think there is a healthy way to describe the way I listened to her music on repeat. I was entranced. The first song of hers I ever listened to was “Hide,” which was released as a single on June 25, 2021. The song’s melody and beat were catchy and engaging, but what stuck out for me, both in this song and countless others, was her lyrics.Â
I’ve always had a very lyrics-first approach to the music I enjoy. Firestone’s songs have a level of honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability that makes them gripping. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the lyrics themselves are phenomenal. Her song “Two Week Notice” is an extended metaphor comparing a partner in a failing relationship to an employee quitting their job. Her songs are real and raw, even when they’re having fun.
As of November 2023, Firestone has released three EPs, Y/N, Public Displays of Affection, and Good Grief, a full-length album, Forward / Slash, and a couple of other singles. And, more exciting than that, she’s just embarked on a highly anticipated second leg of her Least Favorite Only Child Tour which, unlike the first leg, is coming to Florida. Yes, you heard me. And, no, this is not a drill!
Firestone will be performing in Tampa, Orlando, and Pensacola on November 28, November 29, and December 1, respectively. Tickets are currently on sale and under $30 each, which is a steal for any concert. So, if you’re in the mood for a great concert to experience with my favorite artist of all time, I would definitely suggest you fill up your gas tank and head to any of those locations. I haven’t figured out which one I’m going to — mostly because I’m trying to talk myself out of taking a little road trip and going to all three shows.
If you’ve got any other artists you like who fit into my realm of “sad girl indie pop” music, feel free to send them my way! I’m always looking for new music!
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