Hanh Truong on August 24th, 2020

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As another planet reverses in its orbit, another single is released from Sophia Knapp‘s deck of cards. The L.A.-based singer’s latest songs are part of a five-track series called “Retrograde Releases,” and each of their release dates reflect this summer’s planetary phenomena. “Dancing on Ashes,” which came out during Chiron’s retrograde last week, joins three of her recent singles, “My Island” (with Marissa Nadler on harmonies), “Lazuli” and “Flying Low.”

The newest number is entrancing and uptempo, straying a little left from the folksy tunes in the series. It features Knapp’s silvery voice intertwined with polished, melancholic rock strums. What sounds like a potential lead single from the bunch, the wistful melody calls up a deja vu-like memory of racing down an open street, past prairie grass as its shadows lazily dance before an orange sunset.

Knapp, who is also a professional tarot card reader, used her clairvoyant eye and the help of astrologer Rose Theodora to put together the series. Despite the loud themes of astrology, the singles are not about horoscopes; they are about dealing with defeat, finding love and learning to love oneself.

“‘Dancing on Ashes’ is a song of failure, forgiveness and renewal,” the singer says. “The ‘ashes’ of broken promises are not only the aftermath of painful interactions, but the ways in which I have self-sabotaged with reckless behavior. The beautiful thing is, that despite all the fluctuations, I still have that combustible joy in my heart that I love to share freely.”

She also sings about mental illness. “The second verse about being a ‘victim of the tides’ addresses my experience with bipolar disorder — the tides being overwhelming emotions that have the power to take me down,” she says.

These latest tracks come nine years after her debut solo album, “Into the Waves.” Her voice was previously co-front and center for the ’70s-style psychedelic pop-rock band, Cliffie Swan, formerly known as Lights.

Knapp is one installment away from completing her series. The final puzzle piece is expected to come out during Neptune’s retrograde at noon, Sept. 18.

||| Stream: “Dancing on Ashes,” “Flying Low,” “Lazuli” and “My Island”