New York City art-pop musician Blums, the project of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kelsea Feder, has unveiled her emotionally charged new single “Salty”, offering another glimpse into her highly anticipated debut album, Sunk Cost Fantasy, which arrives on 7 August 2026 via Take Care Records.
Accompanied by a nostalgic official music video directed by Anna Burka, “Salty” blends shimmering synths, intimate storytelling and soaring vocals to explore heartbreak, self-worth and ultimately finding comfort in your own company.
Fans can listen to the new single, watch the official video and pre-order Blums’ official debut album
A Synth-Pop Reflection on Heartbreak
“Salty” captures the emotional aftermath of an unbalanced relationship, where feelings of rejection slowly transform into self-acceptance.
Built around fluttering synth textures, dynamic vocal performances and understated electronic production, the track originated from a songwriting challenge inspired by Sara Bareilles’ classic “Love Song.”
Feder revealed that the song came together remarkably quickly while she was working in a downtown New York café during a difficult breakup.
“I was going through a heartbreak at the time with a boy who mentioned he liked salty better than sweet,” she explained. “One shift and one placemat later, I had all the lyrics and vocal melody down.”
The song was later produced overnight using self-taught vocal production techniques before meeting the challenge deadline.
A Nostalgic Music Video Full of Early 2000s Charm
Directed by Anna Burka, the accompanying music video embraces early-2000s nostalgia, featuring Feder relaxing in her apartment wearing an iconic Juicy Couture tracksuit.
Rather than relying on elaborate visuals, the video focuses on quiet moments of reflection, perfectly matching the song’s themes of loneliness, healing and rediscovering personal strength.
Building Towards Sunk Cost Fantasy
“Salty” follows the release of previous singles “Cashout” and “Sinking/Soaring”, both of which introduced listeners to Blums’ cinematic approach to alternative pop.
“Cashout” explores the cyclical nature of emotional distress through pulsating electronic production and dramatic vocal arrangements, while debut single “Sinking/Soaring” combines mellow vibraphone, delicate piano and experimental textures inspired by Feder’s experiences working in a jazz club.
The forthcoming album, Sunk Cost Fantasy, represents years of songwriting and artistic exploration, combining dreamlike art-pop with experimental electronic production.
Drawing inspiration from old Hollywood musicals, New York’s independent music scene and personal experiences, the record promises an expansive, emotionally rich listening experience.
A Rising Name in New York’s Art-Pop Scene
Blums has steadily built a reputation across New York City’s independent music community through captivating live performances alongside artists including May Rio, Bella Litsa and Nyxy Nyx.
Following intimate performances throughout Brooklyn earlier this year, Feder will celebrate the release of Sunk Cost Fantasy with a special album launch show on 25 August 2026 at Night Club 101 in New York, joined by May Rio and Angel Puppet.
Who Is Blums? The Story Behind Sunk Cost Fantasy
While “Salty” may be introducing many listeners to Blums for the first time, the project has been years in the making. Behind Blums is New York songwriter and musician Kelsea Feder, whose debut album, Sunk Cost Fantasy, represents nearly a decade of artistic growth, experimentation and self-discovery.
The album’s title draws inspiration from the concept of the sunk cost fallacy—the tendency to continue investing in something because of the time, energy or resources already committed, even when it may no longer be serving us. For Feder, the phrase became a fitting metaphor for the emotional cycles, relationships and personal struggles explored throughout the record.
Developed over several years alongside co-producer Kirk Palsma, Sunk Cost Fantasy emerged after multiple attempts to record and define the Blums sound. During that time, Feder immersed herself in New York City’s thriving independent music scene, performing and collaborating with artists including May Rio, fantasy of a broken heart and Shallowhalo.
The result is a record that blends art-pop, experimental electronic textures, singer-songwriter storytelling and theatrical influences into something uniquely her own. Tracks move between dreamy melodies, fragmented production, manipulated vocals and unexpected sonic detours, creating a world that feels both fantastical and deeply personal.
From the cinematic swirl of “Still” to the glitch-infused emotional landscapes of “Celsius,” “Side of the Road” and “Judy,” the album captures moments of disruption and transformation. Throughout the project, Feder balances vulnerability with imagination, using layered instrumentation and inventive production to explore heartbreak, longing, identity and resilience.
At its core, Sunk Cost Fantasy is about breaking free from cycles that no longer serve us. It’s an album that embraces uncertainty while searching for clarity, documenting the moments before emotional collapse and the strength required to move beyond it. The collection ultimately serves as both a personal diary and an invitation for listeners to find meaning in their own moments of change.
