Five songs that will give you a full understanding of his discography from someone who’s seen him live.
Written by Renata Zavala Arechavala. Header illustration courtesy of Sam Rackley (@MelotineCookies).
Up-and-coming indie musician Sawyer Hill is gaining more popularity since opening for Yungblood for the North American leg of his “Idols Tour” earlier this year. Now is the perfect time to delve into the world of romance, loss, and escapism that Sawyer presents in his music.
The “Heartbreak Hysteria” star is on the rise, and coming from someone who has seen the man himself perform this album live, I can tell you which songs to start with to understand Hill’s many different perspectives on love, including one song he hasn’t released to streaming yet.
1. “Look At The Time” (2023)
Sawyer Hill’s breakout song, “Look At The Time,” launched him into the public eye and led his career where it is now. It’s the ultimate breakup and betrayal bop, for those just getting out of a bad relationship and still reeling from the heartbreak of realizing the person you loved wasn’t who you thought they were. When you can finally see the writing on the wall, and it’s making you reconsider everything you thought you knew about your relationship, he conveys the tragic feeling that all the happiness you once had can never come back. This song perfectly exemplifies a section of Sawyer’s music I call “songs to scream in your car after you get cheated on.”
Notable lyrics:
“When you said that I’m the only one, did you mean that I’m the closest one around?”
“Who would have known the devil I chose? She’s an angel when she’s sleeping.”
Follow-ups from Hill if you like this song: “Never Once,” “Need Me Now”
2. “Firestarters” (2023)
This is the opener when Sawyer performs live, and it’s clear why. With the lead in allowing time for Hill to make a dramatic entrance before having to sing, and the song being so high energy, complete with Hill’s signature growling intonation in the second chorus, this song sets up his discography nicely. Where many of his songs about toxic relationships are about being betrayed and hurt, this one sees Hill taking a more active approach in the relationship, one where both people are just as destructive as each other and have as much dangerous fun as they can before the whole relationship inevitably crashes and burns. Toxic relationships can be oh so thrilling. It has a similar vibe to “Hit and Run” by Lolo, but more indie and with a very nice guitar section. Where “Hit and Run” might be a shot of vodka, “Firestarters” is whiskey on the rocks.
Notable lyrics:
“Take me as you see me, I’ll tell you when to leave me. Don’t you fight my hold on you.”
Follow-up: “Masochistic Lover”
3. “High On My Lows” (2024)
This one’s for fans of bad decisions and drinking to forget. Hill understands what it feels like to use liquor and loud music to block out your thoughts, and this song is significantly dancey, upbeat, and loud enough to take your mind off it while still making you feel seen. This song about running away from your problems into bad decisions may at first seem like it romanticizes bad decisions; but at least to me, the song makes it clear that it is just a coping mechanism. This is a good look into how Sawyer puts sad themes to an upbeat melody to create a tragic song you can still dance to.
Notable lyrics:
“I love to get high on my lows, fuck around and lose control, drink fast until my heart explodes, now slow down”
Follow-ups: “Hear From Me,” “Sweet Disaster”
4. “Nothing Matters When I’m With You” (2025)
This is a classic style love song, unlike most of his repertoire, there’s no bitter to the sweet. Although many of Sawyer’s songs focus on uncertainty, tragedy, and betrayal, he does indeed have a fair few songs about the feeling of falling in love. Usually, he treats it with some apprehension, maybe a tad bit of paranoia, but he’s still willing to give in to love even after all he has been through. This time he is fully accepting love, maybe not understanding it, not knowing what the future holds, but deciding to enjoy the moment and the love anyway. This song portrays the hope of a budding love perfectly and is a good introduction to Sawyer’s sweeter love songs.
Notable lyrics:
“Are we insane or are we just human? I don’t got a clue, nothing matters when I’m with you.”
Follow-ups: “One Shot,” “Feel Right Now,” “Closed Eye Fiction”
5. “Hot Girl Summer” (Unreleased – date unknown)
“Hot Girl Summer” is the best of Sawyer’s unreleased songs. I, for one, am desperately awaiting the day it’s officially released so I can finally add it to my playlists —and understand all the lyrics— but for now, live recordings of it are available on YouTube. For those who thought they would be fine with “casual” and then fell head over heels. In five minutes he captures what it feels like to fall in love on a whim, just having fun until you realize you want more, but you’ve attached yourself to a free spirit. Much love to his lead guitarist—Jack Kendrew—for his wicked riffs.
Notable lyrics:
“Won’t find another lover but it might just be a bummer ‘cause I just found out it’s hot girl summer.”
Follow-up: “For The Hell Of It”
Honorable mention: “Your Scene” (2022)
“Your Scene” is angry pushback commentary on the conformist state of the modern music industry and Sawyer’s desire to stay true to himself. This one is on the longer side, but it is worth it. Not only is the message worthwhile, but the song’s rhythm is hypnotically soothing, even if it uses the word “fuck” sixteen times. It features his signature rasp and contains many entertaining guitar sections.
Notable lyrics:
“Send your shit, I’ll give a listen maybe, you know. I′ll say whatever just to get you to go.”
Follow-up: “Aiming At My Head”
