B-Side Guys

In a musical landscape often dominated by performative vulnerability, there’s something remarkably refreshing about unabashed confrontation. Canadian-Egyptian artist Sarah Shafey’s latest single “I Lied to You” delivers precisely this catharsis—a grunge-infused declaration of independence that transforms confession into liberation.

The track opens with immediate candor, Shafey’s “in-the-pocket rhythm guitar” creating restrained but insistent foundation for her detached vocal delivery: “Do you like it when I say to your face that I lied to you? And you believe that I was saving my grace when I lied to you?” This opening salvo establishes both lyrical directness and subtle musical tension that propels the composition forward.

What follows is a masterclass in controlled intensity. Drums enter with deliberate precision, expanding the sonic palette while maintaining emotional focus. The production choices, crafted at The Sugar Shack Recording Studios with co-producer Kyle Ashbourne, create perfect balance between raw energy and polished accessibility—grunge’s characteristic aggression tempered with radio-friendly clarity.

This production approach perfectly serves Shafey’s broader artistic vision. As part of her aptly-titled album “Paper Bag Princess” (referencing Robert Munsch’s feminist children’s book), “I Lied to You” represents conscious reclamation of traditionally male-dominated musical territory. The grunge aesthetic—a genre historically associated with male expression—becomes powerful vehicle for Shafey’s feminist ethos, transforming established paradigms rather than merely operating within them.

Most compelling is Shafey’s vocal performance, which navigates between cool detachment and simmering intensity. Her classical piano training brings unexpected musicality to her phrasing, creating melodic hooks that lodge in memory without sacrificing emotional authenticity. The “tasteful touches of harmony vocals” add crucial dimensionality, suggesting internal dialogue between different aspects of consciousness.

Thematically, “I Lied to You” explores those pivotal moments where betrayal fundamentally alters personal trajectory. As Shafey explains, the song captures “that feeling of being fed up, ready to move on, and feeling unapologetic about it.” This unapologetic quality emerges not just lyrically but musically—the composition’s confident strut suggesting liberation rather than remorse.

Shafey’s multi-faceted identity as classically-trained pianist, songwriter, producer, tech executive, and women’s empowerment advocate converges impressively on “I Lied to You.” Her decision to handle rhythm guitar duties herself, despite it not being her primary instrument, reinforces the song’s central theme of embracing challenges and defying limitations.

For listeners seeking rock music that balances intellectual substance with visceral impact, Shafey offers compelling evidence that confessional candor need not sacrifice swagger—and that feminist commentary can arrive packaged in irresistible hooks rather than preachy proclamations.