Brooklyn duo Young Saab team up with alt-pop sensation Chloe Lilac for their debut "but i love you"

Sandler, best known as half of synth-pop revivalists Great Good Fine OK, and Zeiler, previously of pop trio Little Daylight and grunge-inspired alternative project Me Not You, have known each other forever basically. Growing up as family friends the pair eventually went their separate ways heading into New York City to focus on their varied musical projects.

The story goes that Young Saab found their footing following a rainy day out at the beach in the summer of 2019. It was on this outing that Sandler and Zeiler decided it was time to put their heads together and see what they could come up with. Heading back to Brooklyn, inspired by the sombre, grey beach day they enlisted the help of Chloe Lilac, a rising NYC-based pop star who happened to be their neighbour.

"but i love you" marks their debut and sees the three songwriters document the phenomenon of knowing that you love someone, but not being quite sure if you're 'in love' with them. Sandler explains "we’re bombarded by love stories in movies, tv shows and songs where people find “the one” and know for sure, but this is so rarely the case in real life, especially when we’re young."

Sandler continues, saying that the song took on an additional meaning as a love letter to their beloved Brooklyn, the borough in which they've lived for the last decade. "It's hard to understand unless you’ve experienced it, but Brooklyn has a unique ability to become a character in the stories of its residents. It’s tangible how it influences relationships and love within its reach..."

Fracturing lo-fi bedroom pop with intricate electronic elements, "but i love you" at times sounds raw and stripped, yet also grand and cinematic with its programmed strings and Lilac's arresting topline. An intriguing first taste of the Young Saab project, it's hard to know where Sandler and Zeiler will turn next for inspiration and what they'll focus on an they unveil more of their work.