Selina
“16”
By Jackie Procacci
SONG REVIEW
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SONG REVIEW 〰️
“16” Cover Artwork/Click to Listen
Portland, Oregon singer-songwriter Selina is a hidden gem, but not for much longer. After seeing her perform in March at Green Tea Studios x That Good Sh*t’s Sunday Sounds event, I became an immediate fan. Selina’s aesthetic and vibe make you want to be her best friend. Her new, beautifully-written single “16” showcases her songwriting caliber as she reflects on her past while connecting it to her growth to the present day.
Selina’s delicate voice is effortlessly controlled, allowing her lyrics to shine over the angelically stripped-back production. Whether reflecting on the internal or the external, Selina lyrics are eye-opening. I love her ability to connect with her listeners in a way that feels personal and intentional, almost as if she’s venting to you. She seamlessly connects the pain and loneliness she experienced at 16 to her growth over the last few years. As someone particularly passionate about mental health awareness, Selina’s lyrics are notably candid and intimate as she reminisces on feelings of invisibility, loneliness, and pain. With the persisting stigma surrounding mental health, I appreciate her strength and bravery to use her music to share these somber memories and help others feel less alone. It can be easy for those struggling to put a smile on their face instead of asking for help.
In “16” she says, “Misunderstood, felt like I was invisible / Did what I could, make my life more livable.” Despite these feelings, she continues by talking about how she told her parents not to worry, hoping that her pain will go unnoticed. It’s extremely important to share and start these types of conversations, and Selina does just that a truly honest and authentic way. We need to check in on one another more often than we think, so go call your friend or cousin or whoever you haven’t talked to in a while, check in on them, and tell them you love them!