Sorrene - Playin' To Win (2025)

Quebec-based singer-songwriter Sorrene isn’t just releasing her debut album, Playin’ To Win, today—she’s practically kicking the door in. Working closely with Samuel Mendosa and producer Daniel James Alexander Stobbs, Sorrene set out to create a sonic palette that could redefine modern country, and she nails it. Bringing in heavy-hitting co-writers like Nashville veterans Joshua Shaun Osborne and Trevor Joseph Rosen proves she’s serious.

“During the creative process, so many things changed. I grew through this journey, and so did the people close to me. Each song was born from a truth, an emotion within me: some come from my own experiences, others from those I’ve observed around me that left a deep impression. Everyone faces their own battles, their joys as well as their storms. What drives me is the desire to remind people that we are never truly alone, and that it’s essential to dare to speak up, to share what we carry inside. Through this album, I hope to offer more than just listening: a moment of comfort, an invitation to recognize ourselves, to find peace, or to summon the strength to move forward.” – Sorrene shares.

The album starts with the title track, “Playin’ To Win,” a sharply critical song that dissects the shallow pursuit of validation in modern relationships and social dealings. The lyrics use gambling metaphors—like the challenge to “Call raise or fold”—to question whether a person is seeking genuine connection or just a “brief validation,” directly challenging the subject’s self-deception and stagnant growth.

Moving from external critique to deep introspection, “Think About That” is my favorite track on the release. It’s a full-on, aggressive confrontation of hypocrisy and moral arrogance, driven by Sorrene’s commanding and powerful vocal delivery. She directly attacks the “big talker” who hides behind “high morals,” forcing them to “Look at the person in the mirror” and own up to being “the problem,” making a brilliant, no-nonsense call for self-accountability.

Finally, Sorrene shifts her focus to supportive tough love on “He’ll be Fine,” a tender yet firm anthem about finding the courage to leave a relationship that only looks good on paper. The lyrics directly address the listener who is “faking a smile,” insisting that they must be “selfish” and feel the pain to heal. The emotional core lies in the repeated, reassuring refrain, “He’ll be fine / He’s a big boy now,” which gives the listener crucial permission to prioritize their own happiness.

Overall, the nine-track release is a powerful, commanding statement on accountability and emotional maturity. . The album ultimately succeeds as an unflinching work that insists you check your ego at the door, reminding you that self-love is worth fighting for.