Alexandra Savior Goes From Strength To Strength In Fiery Comeback – ‘Unforgivable’ Review

Words: Josh Parsonage

Scathing imagery hinged upon synths steeped in melancholy weaving a story of betrayal – ladies and gentlemen, Alexandra Savior is back.

It’s been five years since genre-bending Portland-based singer-songwriter Alexandra Savior released her critically acclaimed noir-pop LP ‘The Archer’,  but the wait for new music is finally over. On Friday, she unveiled ‘Unforgivable’, a jazz-influenced track that tells a tale of treachery turned self-empowerment.

‘Unforgivable’ marks Savior’s first release since signing with RCA, showcasing musical growth through its mature composition and the singer’s signature striding vocals. The 60s psychedelia of her previous work is now pulled back in time toward a 1950s-style layering of trumpets, synth piano, and acoustic, perfectly positioning the track to tell its story.

The hypnotic atmosphere opens with projections of hurt, hurt born out of manipulation, mistreatment, and isolation. The line “Oh to take a girl, keep her from her world” reflects the Portland pop-star’s toils with record labels, such as Columbia, who sought to alter both her sound and her public image. The emotional and psychological toll of these experiences is then underscored by “Pompeii could not hold a candle to it,” evoking a sense of complete devastation. 

However, the track’s poignant tone is juxtaposed by its underlying message. At its core, ‘Unforgivable’ is not about hurt, but about survivorship and self-assertion. Savior persevered, releasing ‘The Archer’ on her own terms and showing Columbia exactly what they were missing: “And when I stick up for myself, I’ll use the knife that you once held.” The knife? Her music. Her talent.

Talking to Variety, ‘The Archer’ herself said: “We’ve all had experiences like this as women – it’s universal.” She continued, “I needed to write a song that was a mantra, so that I could stop blaming myself for experiences where I was mistreated. I felt if I kept telling myself these things were unforgivable, maybe I would finally start to believe it myself.”

‘Unforgivable’ is the lead single for what will be Alexandra Savior’s third record, the title of which remains under wraps. After cancelling her 2024 ‘Goodbye, Old Friend’ US tour fans are thrilled to see her return, and we’re eagerly anticipating more tunes, and new tour dates.