PATRICK DETHLEFS – HAD I KNOWN | SOFAR DENVER

When Denver singer-songwriter Patrick Dethlef starts strumming his acoustic guitar, you know the tears aren’t far behind. “Had I Known” is from his 2017 album Beauty in the Unknown is a sweet, sad, understated song. Lyrics like “when I awoke and found you gone” and the refrain “If only I had known” prove that heartbreak told through snippets is maybe even more crushing than knowing the whole story.

WAYNE HENRY – 10 STAGES | SOFAR DALLAS – FORT WORTH

When Wayne Henry introduces “10 Stages” by saying “this is one of my most personal pieces,” he’s giving us fair warning that things are going to get heavy. And in the first words of his spoken word piece, “the 10 stages of grieving the loss of your firstborn,” it becomes achingly clear why. But the way Henry turns devastating loss into this haunting work of art feels like an act of generosity, the gift of sharing the weight of the human heart.

YOMI – LOVE / MAN ON THE MOON | SOFAR CHICAGO

The tears start even before the song as harpist Yomi dedicates the song “Love/Man on the Moon” to a dearly departed friend. The ethereal melody keeps things light, while Yomi’s beautiful singing-storyteller voice unravels a tale of deep connection. “Cause the grass seems so much greener near you” feels so relatable that it makes her poetic sadness ours as well. Time to bust out the tissues.

LUMBA – LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL | SOFAR LUSAKA

In her song “Life Is Beautiful”, Zambia-based indie artist Lumba sings to the sadness of loss that too many of us can relate to with the global pandemic. In her intro, she says she wanted to create a work of joy that helps us remember that even in tragedy life is beautiful, and from the song’s opening bars that mix joy and sadness, we’re with her.

YASMIN HASS – GOODBYE | SOFAR LONDON

London singer-songwriter Yasmin Hass mixes up the classic tale of heartbreak in “Goodbye”, an actually healthy breakup song. Accompanied by an introspective guitar melody and the refined vocals of her backup singer, she offers the refreshing take that sure, there will be tears, but it’s okay because the relationship has run its course. Her gentle mourning makes way for two people to go their separate ways, and in that way is the perfect breakup song for anyone who knows that they’re just not with the right person. Sniff.

THUNDERSTORM ARTIS – ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR | SOFAR HONOLULU

OK, time to pull it together again. For help comes “All Is Fair in Love and War” from Hawaii-based musician Thunderstorm Artis. With his beautiful guitar playing and laid-back island vibes, this season 18 finalist on The Voice is ready to level with you in a way that’s both sweet and straightforward. The way he growls “she said ‘Dry your eyes don’t you cry’” and then carries us through a relationship gone bad–it’s enough to remind a person that there’s a time and a place for all the feels.

Words by Christine Sarkis

Photo credit: Yasmin Hass performs Sofar London, image via YouTube