Demi Richardson
On October 16, Sydney Rose released her new EP titled “It Was My First Time.” The EP consists of five tracks, two of which we heard previously as lead singles and three of which came out with the EP. Sydney is best known for her 2025 single “We Hug Now,” which gained traction on social media ahead of its release for being extremely sad and relatable, and these new tracks are certainly both of those things as well.
This entire EP feels like Sydney Rose and the listeners’ own little secret, an intimate confession that feels as though no one else is meant to hear. Through the raw authenticity of her songwriting, Sydney encapsulates the spiraling journey of falling in love with a close friend who ultimately breaks your heart. This EP not only makes us listen, but also makes us wade through her emotions, which she has perfectly placed into five raw and meaningful songs.
When announcing this project, Sydney stated, “Being this honest makes me sick to my stomach.” This gives us listeners insight into the discomfort she feels when putting her personal thoughts out into the open, and showcases just how real each of these tracks is. In the first track, “Plans,” this Georgia songwriter talks about an intense connection with a close friend who gave uncertain signals, setting the tone before spiraling into the title track, “My First Time,” which discusses similar themes.
This song was accompanied by a music video in which Sydney can be seen sitting on a roof surrounded by trees, singing and playing her guitar. The mundane setting strips back extreme visuals so we can focus on the meaning of the song: a first love that ends in betrayal and the aftermath of the heartbreak. “For you, it’s a parking lot. For me, I was finally a girl” is just one of the extremely relatable lyrics from this song, describing one of the worst experiences for a young girl in love to go through. This song, like much of Sydney’s catalog, is sung so delicately but hits so hard.
The rest of the project explores similar themes, including unrequited love, trust issues, and reminiscing on what was and what could have been. “Track Team” in particular is about reconnecting with someone you used to be close with and discovering just how much you both have grown up and changed. One of the lyrics from this song, “we don’t hug, we never used to,” ties the song back to her aforementioned hit from last year, “We Hug Now,” implying that it may even be about the same person.
This EP is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced heartbreak, betrayal, or trust issues. The quiet confession of the guitar strings, alongside Rose’s singing, expresses the raw truth that resonates with many women and is ultimately a breath of catharsis.
