Singer-songwriter Sarah Banker channels the clarity and curiosity of her Colorado mountain surroundings into a four-song collection that sparkles with warmth and honesty. Into the Heart (April 17th) feels as fresh as alpine air and just as invigorating with its upbeat jazz flourishes and airy folk-pop optimism.
The opening track, “Friends,” sets the tone with delicate, airy vocals that float over light and moody music. It has the easy charm of an early spring day: calm, reflective, and full of quiet playfulness. “Into the Heart,” the EP’s title track, brings a bubbly and upbeat tempo with effervescent vocals that lift the energy while maintaining the intimacy of the message.
Anchored by brushed drums and a buoyant piano line that gives the song a breezy elegance “Our Love” shifts gears into smooth jazz territory, but it’s “Cockadoodledoo” that steals the spotlight with its playful spirit and jazzy, almost New Orleans-style horn bursts. The horns respond like old friends in conversation, giving the track a livewire energy that shows Sarah’s versatility and humor.
What ties the EP together is Sarah’s sincerity. There’s no theatrical pretense here. It’s just a musician tuned in to her surroundings and her own experiences and offering songs shaped by real journeys. As she puts it,
You have everything you need within you to take charge of your life.
That confidence and encouragement pulse through every note. Into the Heart may be rooted in folk-pop tradition, but it travels confidently into jazz, soul, and playful experimentation, all while keeping the focus on connection and joy. It’s an easy listen, and one that sticks. Light, but not slight.
