✦ The rebirth of a voice rooted in pure, acoustic folk textures under the glow of electronic lights… Daughter of Swords, a.k.a. Alex Sauser-Monnig of Mountain Man and The A’s, invites listeners into a whole new universe with her new album Alex, released between March and April 2025. Out April 11 via Psychic Hotline, the record blends the pastoral folk tones we’ve come to know from the artist with bright synths and the contemporary energy of indie pop.
Change Without Losing the Roots
We first met Sauser-Monnig through the minimalist acoustic arrangements of her 2019 album Dawnbreaker. Alex moves in the complete opposite direction: synth-forward indie pop. Yet this change is not a rupture that erases the roots; rather, the intimacy and emotional openness of her earlier songwriting are now framed in a new context.
Behind this transformation are longtime friends and collaborators Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn of Sylvan Esso. Produced at their Betty’s studio in Chapel Hill, the album gains both a digital brightness and an organic warmth.
Singles: Different Emotional Shades
Two singles arrived ahead of the album:
“Talk to You” (February 2025) — Lightly flirtatious, with nimble rhythms and a catchy chorus, this track showcases the record’s energetic side. Its bold, colorful music video also proves Sauser-Monnig is expanding her visual aesthetic.
“Strange” (March 2025) — Slower-paced, woven with synth layers, and carrying a melancholic yet hypnotic atmosphere. Lyrically, it explores themes of alienation, acceptance, and self-inquiry.
Together, these two tracks outline the album’s emotional spectrum: a pendulum swinging between outward energy and inward exploration.
Thematic Depth of the Album
According to Paste Magazine, Alex consists of short yet impactful songs, most between two and four minutes. This brevity turns each track into a miniature emotional portrait.
The lyrics clearly bear the traces of an “inner questioning” process: unsaid words from the past, the echoes of ended relationships, and one’s relationship with oneself. This time, however, the warmth of synths replaces the acoustic guitar — as if old diary pages were written over with a neon pen.
Guests and Details
The album occasionally features contributions from artists like Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak), reinforcing the sense of solidarity within the North Carolina indie scene. During production, Amelia Meath’s vocal support and Nick Sanborn’s electronic arrangements created a structure that keeps Sauser-Monnig’s voice at the center while elevating it within a modern pop framework.
Why Listen?
Alex is a turning point in Daughter of Swords’ career: faithful to her roots yet innovative; familiar yet fresh. Whether you want to start your morning with a gentle smile through Talk to You, or close the night with the melancholic but hopeful Strange, this album invites you to do both.
💡 Quick Facts
Artist: Daughter of Swords (Alex Sauser-Monnig)
Album: Alex
Release Date: April 11, 2025, via Psychic Hotline
Production: Amelia Meath & Nick Sanborn (Sylvan Esso)
Highlights: “Talk to You,” “Strange”
Style: Synth-forward indie pop / folk-rooted songwriting
Recorded at: Betty’s, Chapel Hill, NC
