B-Side Guys

Scars tell stories. For Sabrina Monique, they’ve become battle medals, worn proudly on her debut album “It’s Not Me It’s You,” released October 18, 2024. This 32-minute collection transforms personal devastation into dance floor liberation, proving that sometimes the best revenge isn’t living well – it’s making killer pop music.

Opening track “Me You and Your Ego” sets the tone immediately, its razor-sharp production matching equally incisive lyrics. The song’s rhythmic talk-sing delivery showcases Monique’s unique flow, while its pulsing beat ensures the message goes down smooth. It’s a confident opening statement from an artist done playing by others’ rules.

“My Drink” and “Run Back” continue the momentum, each track demonstrating Monique’s ability to craft radio-ready hooks without sacrificing authenticity. The production throughout remains crisp and contemporary, but it’s Monique’s powerhouse vocals and unflinching honesty that command attention.

“Love Again Unplugged” offers the album’s first moment of vulnerability, stripping away the dance beats to reveal the raw emotion beneath. It’s a brave choice that pays off, proving Monique’s artistry extends beyond club bangers.

“It Was Always You,” the album’s lead single, emerges as an early standout. Its reggaeton-flavored beat provides the perfect backdrop for Monique’s takedown of a gaslighting ex. When she delivers lines like “Tell me one day we’ll be married but could never date me,” the specificity of the lyric hits universal truth.

The album’s middle section, including “Monster In My Bed V2” and “Love Again Part 2 (Wish You All The Best),” showcases Monique’s genre versatility. These tracks blend elements of pop, R&B, and electronic music while maintaining a cohesive sound, thanks in part to collaborations with producers like Dr. Ford and Randy Merrill (known for work with Harry Styles and Adele).

“Love Like Me” serves as a self-empowerment anthem that feels earned rather than manufactured. Monique’s journey from American Idol contestant to independent artist informs every note, lending authenticity to lines about reclaiming one’s power.

“Rather Be Lonely” stands as another highlight, its infectious chorus belying the emotional depth of its message. The production strikes a perfect balance between commercial appeal and artistic integrity, demonstrating why Monique’s decision to take creative control was the right one.

The album closes with “The Epilogue,” a fitting finale that ties together the collection’s themes of betrayal, growth, and ultimate triumph. It’s a reminder that every ending is also a beginning – a lesson Monique seems to have learned well.

What sets “It’s Not Me It’s You” apart is its fearless approach to personal truth. Where many pop albums feel focus-grouped into existence, this debut bears the marks of real experience. Monique’s background – from her early days entertaining family in White Plains to her teenage move to Manhattan with eleven roommates – infuses every track with authentic grit.

The production throughout is notably polished, but never at the expense of emotion. Whether crafting dance floor fillers or stripped-back ballads, Monique and her collaborators maintain a sonic consistency that ties the album together. The influence of contemporary pop is evident, but Monique’s unique vocal style and songwriter’s ear ensure nothing feels derivative.

At just over half an hour, “It’s Not Me It’s You” is remarkably efficient. Each track serves a purpose, contributing to a larger narrative of liberation through self-expression. The sequencing creates a natural emotional arc that carries listeners from righteous anger to hard-won peace.

For long-time followers of Monique’s journey, this album represents vindication – proof that artistic autonomy was worth fighting for. For newcomers, it serves as an introduction to a voice that refuses to be constrained by industry expectations or personal trauma.

As Monique prepares to share these songs live with audiences across New York City, one can’t help but feel excited about what’s to come. “It’s Not Me It’s You” isn’t just a breakup album; it’s a breaking free album. In choosing to tell her story her way, Sabrina Monique hasn’t just found her voice – she’s created a soundtrack for anyone else fighting to find theirs.

This may be Monique’s debut, but it carries the confidence of an artist who knows exactly who she is and what she has to say. In the end, “It’s Not Me It’s You” proves that sometimes the hardest road leads to the most compelling destination.