Second Glances at “Second Chances” as Shara Strand’s Synth-Pop Reboot Shines Bright!
- Esther
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
As we celebrate our 400th review, it’s not every day that a comeback sounds this celestial. After years of quiet, New York’s billboard charting artist and synth-pop siren Shara Strand returns with “Second Chances”, a radiant revival that feels like a diary entry set to a disco ball. It's a heart reboot in four minutes flat. With shimmering 80s-inspired production by Rebbel and lyrics that pulse with personal truth, Strand offers a love song not just for lovers, but for anyone who's ever wished for a do-over. Consider this your cosmic invitation to believe in second chances and to dance while you do!
There’s a kind of magic that happens when the right voice meets the right era, when nostalgia isn’t just decoration, but a lifeline. Opening with levitating synths and clean electronic kicks, it is instantly immersive. The production by Rebbel is pitch-perfect: glossy without being artificial, retro without being stuck in the past. Think chrome-tinted nostalgia fused with modern polish. There’s something cinematic here, the kind of song that plays during a euphoric reconciliation scene in a neon-lit love story. Then Shara enters -
“We were swimming under hell and high waters…Got caught up in a sea of fake desires / Thinking of you in a four-poster bed…And the beautiful life we could have led...”
In these four lines, she conjures the wreckage wrought by passion misaligned, yet already the lyrics hint at an almost cinematic escape; that longing, part regret, part pure fantasy, sets the stage for the song’s transformational core. Her vocals glide in, emotive and controlled, with just enough vulnerability to make you lean in. She doesn’t just sing the lyrics, she lives them. The first verse is a swirl of regret and memory, filled with imagery that feels lived-in and vivid, seas of “fake desires,” four-poster beds, lost potential. It’s wistful without being weepy. By the time she hits the pre-chorus, “Let’s not regret what the hell...”, you sense the turning point. The track bursts open into its euphoric chorus, where personal transformation becomes a communal chant -
“So let’s start again, come away with me…We deserve to set our fantasy free...”
There’s a "la-la-la-la" motif that feels almost childlike in its hopefulness, wrapping around you like sunlight through a disco ball. It’s easy to imagine a crowd of strangers singing along, finding themselves in the melody. That’s the genius of this song, it sounds like it was always meant to be part of your life. What sets Strand apart isn’t just her songwriting (though that’s strong), or even her vocal control (also excellent). It’s her ability to architect emotion. There’s a deep sincerity coursing through this track, one that avoids the easy cliches of breakup and reunion songs. Instead, it's about evolution. About growing into the love you couldn’t handle the first time. In the second verse, she doesn’t just celebrate romance, she celebrates maturity, accountability, gratitude. Lines like, “We forgive and forget, our fortunes kismet...”, elevate what could be simple romantic pop into something richer, more layered. And then the bridge hits -
“Gonna paint this town red with our love...”
It’s delightfully corny, in that earnest, no-winks 80s way and exactly what a true synth-pop power ballad should do.
Shara Strand has always excelled at turning her own trials into universal anthems. Here, her past chart success (“I Will Carry You,” “RSVP,” “Anthem”) coalesces into a single that’s as likely to fill clubs as it is to soundtrack a quiet moment of reconciliation. With Rebbel’s glossy production spotlighting her crystal-clear tone, she straddles the line between retro romance and forward-thinking pop with undeniable charisma. With this single, Shara Strand doesn’t just prove she’s still got it, she makes you wonder why you ever doubted. It is elegant, euphoric, and emotionally intelligent, wrapped in a nostalgic pop sheen that’s more timeless than trendy. If you’ve ever longed for a do-over, danced through your healing, or simply need a glittering anthem to light up your next late-night drive, “Second Chances” is waiting for you. Add it to your playlists, share it with someone who needs a little hope, and follow Shara Strand as she launches a brand new era. Because sometimes, the comeback is better than the original and everyone deserves a second chance… especially this song. Listen below!
#SharaStrand #SecondChances #SynthPop #PopMusic #SingerSongwriter #Music #Billboard #US #NewYorkCity
You can check out and follow Shara Strand’s musical journey on her website here: https://www.sharastrand.com
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