There’s something undeniably captivating about Taylor DeRousse’s debut album, Running Back to Me. From start to finish, the Detroit-based indie rock singer-songwriter delivers a lush, immersive experience—a record that feels as much like a cinematic journey through memory and longing as it does a bold declaration of artistic identity. Released via Bird Fight Records on March 28, this collection of songs is a testament to DeRousse’s masterful ability to blend raw emotion with soaring, atmospheric soundscapes.

Drawing inspiration from the vivid storytelling of Phoebe Bridgers and the raw intensity of Alanis Morissette, DeRousse has crafted an album that balances heart-wrenching lyricism with massive, anthemic rock moments. But it’s not just the songwriting that leaves a mark—it’s the sheer power and range of her voice, which floats effortlessly through delicate, whisper-soft confessions before erupting into full-throated, cathartic wails.

The album’s sonic landscape is nothing short of stunning. Layered with electric guitars, deep baritone swells, synth textures, and harmonic vocal stacks, the production feels expansive yet intimate, a wall of sound that never overwhelms but instead envelops the listener like a warm, melancholic embrace. The influence of Explosions in the Sky is evident in the way each track builds and swells, shifting between dreamy ambience and explosive, heart-pounding crescendos.

There are moments of aching nostalgia, where DeRousse’s storytelling places you directly in the heart of past loves, lost time, and the bittersweet ache of memory. Then there are the stadium-sized choruses, moments that practically beg to be screamed at the top of your lungs, where the synergy of her band’s tight instrumentation and her emotionally charged vocal delivery hits with full force. The result is an album that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant, a soundtrack for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of their own emotions pressing against their ribs.

Despite its dynamic range, Running Back to Me is cohesive and intentional, moving seamlessly between its introspective moments and its soaring, high-energy peaks. The production is meticulous yet organic, every note and lyric placed with care, yet never over-polished—a perfect reflection of DeRousse’s ability to channel both vulnerability and strength in her music.

Of course we had our personal favorites like “Growing Up Is Scary” and “Bad”, however the entirety of this record is musical gold. They give you energy, make you want to get up and groove, but ultimately you get sucked in by all the facets of its complete sound.

As a debut, Running Back to Me sets a high bar, not just for DeRousse’s future work, but for indie rock in 2025. It’s an album that proves she is not just a promising songwriter, but a force to be reckoned with—a voice that demands to be heard, a sound that refuses to be ignored. With its anthemic highs, ethereal textures, and deeply felt emotion, this is a record that lingers long after the final note fades, pulling you back to it, again and again.

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Listen to “Running Back To Me”

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Taylor DeRousse’s album, "Running Back to Me" is a dreamy, anthemic triumph