SABRI Drops Intoxicating New EP ‘What I Feel Now’ (Review)

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SABRI is a name to get familiar with. She is an up-and-coming R&B talent who just released her new EP into the world. Exhilarating and deeply vulnerable, this Amsterdam-based artist is part of a new wave of European artists taking the world by storm. ‘What I Feel Now‘ is a 20-minute tour of her heart, with lush and inviting vocals. 

SABRI first caught the attention of critics and music-lovers alike with her debut EP in 2022. Whilst  ‘Actually, I Can.‘ was an empowering, liberating listen, her newest record feels even more emotive. As the title suggests, ‘What I Feel Now‘ marks a chapter in this artist’s life defined by a period of heartache. Throughout all six tracks, this singer-songwriter is unravelling a lot of emotions, as she unearths difficult truths about herself and her relationships. It plays like a moment of realisation for the musician, as she deals with the aftermath of being hurt. 

Make Me Feel

My favourite song from the project is this strong opener. It was released as a single to build anticipation for the EP, and it’s clear to see why, as this track stands out. It mesmerised me from first listen, and resulted in it being a ‘First Listen Fridays’ pick. The record is produced by rising R&B star in his own right, BLK ODYSSY. The production is ethereal, as he pairs her soaring vocals with kick drums and clean synths. Furthermore, SABRI explains this track as “That moment when your body senses something your mind can’t fully explain.” This entire EP plays out as a tumultuous journey with a lover, starting on a positive note. 

Sold Myself For Love

The concept of reclaiming your identity after losing so much of it to a relationship is a relatable one. Through exploring this on this record, this young talent leans into the sort of R&B I love. Consequently, it’s been on repeat for me since I gave this project a listen. This track is deeply reflective, as she bares all and comes to terms with some hard truths. The lyricism and moodiness of the song will appeal to fans of H.E.R. and Snoh Aalegra. Additionally, check out her COLORS performance of this track to see her talent on full display.

Loved You

Continuing on this emotional rollercoaster, the Dutch vocalist explores love’s contradictions. You can hate what someone is doing to you, but helplessly love them at the same time. It’s this honesty, paired with a jubilant, catchy rhythm, that makes this a radio-friendly track. More upbeat than other cuts on the record, ‘Loved You‘ has a pop feel. I could see this one becoming a fan favourite anthem to hear live. 

Dumb MF

I had a sense of what to expect going into this record from the title alone. They say, ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,’, and this is musical evidence of that. This powerful singer holds nothing back as she unleashes her fury in a frenzied manner. Therefore, this is a cathartic listen from the moment you press play. Moreover, the instrumentation choices, particularly the electric guitar, add a rockstar element to SABRI’s traditional sound. This artist’s voice even sounds different on ‘Dumb MF‘ than on the other five tracks. It’s like she’s stepped into a whole new energy. This lover must’ve seriously messed up.

Blocked

Here, this soulful songstress picks up the broken pieces of her relationship and does what she needs to in order to move on. Getting your confidence back is often the hardest thing to do after a break-up, but the singer offers this track as a moment of release and clarity. ‘Blocked‘ is oozing with assertive feminine energy and resilience. I found myself smiling at some of her lines – “I’m too pretty for this s**t.“, she sings. If you love your Mary J. Blige tracks like ‘No More Drama‘ or ‘Just Fine‘, there’s something to love here. This is SABRI’s message to dry your eyes, dust yourself off, and let go.

Should’ve Cheated

My first thought when I saw this track title was Keyshia Cole’s iconic record, ‘I Should Have Cheated‘. Consider this the 2025 version, with expletives and no filter. Don’t let this put you off; this stark lyricism works because it is coming from such a beautiful voice. It reminds me of Amy Winehouse in that respect, where she can say the most outrageous, open confessions in a way that comes from the depths of her soul. I like that this EP closes on a bitter note, because sometimes that is reality.

Final Thoughts

SABRI is the real deal, and this body of work is her best yet. She isn’t scared to be honest in her music, and that’s one of the things I most appreciate about this artist. My only criticism of the EP would be its heavy focus on loss and resentment, but at the same time, I appreciate short hyper-focused projects like this. I expect from her full-length debut album that we will see much more of what she has to offer.

Although this is her most polished work to date, there’s still something beautifully DIY sounding about this release. Her fusion of old school neo-soul sounds with a modern twist makes her music easy to enjoy. 

‘What I Feel Now‘ is a purifying experience. It’s a meditation on healing after hurt. For those who are going through it right now, this is a must-listen. 

Rating: 8.5/10

SABRI is on Instagram and Threads. Stream the EP below, and read more reviews here.

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