Hailing from Nashville, Evan P. Donohue’s Stairway to Evan has caught our attention. Donohue’s songs are simultaneously chill and upbeat in all of their psychedelic, rock-inspired glory — they’re head-bopping, smart and deliberate. Today, however, we’re here to rave about the fascinating and haunting black sheep of the album, “Tell Me, Sara” — a song that mirrors the complexity of a functionally dysfunctional relationship. This stripped down track builds subtly while the accompaniment remains simple and muted. The pain and helplessness are palpable through Donohue’s sweet, soft falsetto, yet his auto-tuned, minimally-backed voice adds a hauntingly sexy and lusty layer. His repeated pleas for this Sara to tell him she loves him are sandwiched between verses that outline the couple’s toxic, deceptive relationship. He’s obsessed and simply can’t get enough, which is exactly how you’ll feel after your first listen.
