GABBY SWORD has several songs about gay awakenings. “Fabby” is one of them.

I met my now-wife, Barrie, on tour in 2019; her band was opening for the band I was playing in. When I met her, I was like, “What are these feelings? How am I in my 30’s and just feeling this for the first time?” When I looked back on my childhood, I recognized a thousand other queer moments I just hadn’t let myself see before. This song is about finally acknowledging my queerness, allowing it to seep backwards into my past and root into my present. “Fabby” is also about finding a newfound, unexpected sense of independence that came alongside learning about myself at the same time as falling in love.

The song starts with an unstable, but optimistic piano riff. As it fills out with other instruments, the piano takes a backseat, allowing itself to be supported by the stability of the bass, drums, and vocals, and inviting other sonic characters to find their own footing within the mix. It was written, arranged, produced, and mixed by me, Gabby Smith.

Enjoy!

ABOUT GABBY’S WORLD:

Gabby Smith has spent the last 15 years creating original work including the acclaimed albums O.K. (2015)— one of NPR Bob Boilen’s top three albums of the year — Year of the Rabbit (2016), and Beast on Beast (2018), which received accolades from Pitchfork, New York Times, The Fader, and more. Rolling Stone describes Smith as a “prolific artist” whose “winsome songs read like full-fledged novellas, at once capable of spitting truth, romancing the listener and offering consolation from life's more gnarled moments.” In addition to her solo work under the moniker Gabby’s World, Smith has continuously collaborated with artists including Japanese Breakfast, Frankie Cosmos, Barrie, Bellows and more. 

Gabby’s World’s next album, GABBY SWORD, offers a glimpse into the natural evolution of an artist — for Gabby herself, discovery, falling in love and marrying her wife and fellow musician Barrie Lindsay, living across the world from France to Maine, each track capturing a snapshot. The album will arrive in 2023 with an unconventional, thrilling release schedule. Each month, a new single will be announced and released, culminating in the full release of GABBY SWORD at the end of the year. Smith’s decision to break from the traditional album cycle and “waterfall” the singles is a reaction to the ever-changing landscape of the music industry. Four tracks, “Sank,” “Closing Door,” “Corrina,” and “33” have already been released this year, receiving pickup from Spotify “Fresh Finds” Indie playlist and others.

The newest track, “Fabby,” will arrive Friday, May 5 and will be self-released by Smith on her own label, Carrot All Records.

GABBY SWORD TRACK LIST

1. Sank

2. Closing Door

3. Corrina

4. 33

5. Fabby

6. Restore

7. Mussel

8. Open the Door

9. Powerful

10. Just for You to hear

11. Face

12. Magnify

13. Gabby’s World Theme