EP Review: "TOO SEXY TO BE SAD" - LEW

Karlee Skipper
3 hours ago
4 min read

TOO SEXY TO BE SAD By LEW Cover Art // Photographed by Whitney Otte

TOO SEXY TO BE SAD is LEW’s second installment since her edgy rebrand from country to alt-pop. The four-track project follows her early 2025 release, Dead Inside, which earned its spot as one of my favorite releases of the year. While the last EP had a more rock-influenced sound, TOO SEXY TO BE SAD contains more pop-influenced elements, showcasing the singer’s natural ability to genre-bend. LEW is a phenomenal artist with impeccable vocals, clever songwriting, and catchy hooks, making her one of my favorite artists of the modern era.

Track List

TOO SEXY TO BE SAD

WAIT ON ME

BORING

PHANTOM LIMB.

Lauren Weintraub, now releasing music under LEW, is a multigenre singer-songwriter born in Boston, now based in Los Angeles. When she started her music career in 2014, she moved to Nashville, releasing country-pop songs. She has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and several country music festivals. In 2023, I had the honor to see her as a supporting act for Tenille Arts at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. I went in completely unknowledgeable about who Lauren Weintraub was, but I left a fan of the phenomenal singer whose voice gave me goosebumps – something that doesn’t happen to me often. The artist has received impressive achievements, including a nomination for “TikTok Songwriter of the Year” at the 2022 iHeartRadio Awards and being named a HITS Magazine “One to Watch” in 2022. This year, LEW headlined a tour and was a supporting act for Marielle Craft.

TOO SEXY TO BE SAD

LEW kicks off the album with the infectious title track, “TOO SEXY TO BE SAD.” In the empowering pop anthem, LEW brushes off heartbreak, declaring that she is a catch and is above being hurt by this man. She knows her worth and refuses to let him bring her down. She tells him: “I’m too sexy to be sad // Too pretty to be mad // Too hot for all of your this and that // I'm too funny not to laugh // Too good to love you back // I don't need your drama.” Alongside cheeky lyrics LEW is known for, the song features a dance-pop soundscape that listeners cannot help but dance along to, while maintaining her edge. “TOO SEXY TO BE SAD” is the perfect introduction to her new wave of music.

WAIT ON ME

The second track transitions to a sultry pop soundscape, matching the cheeky lyrics. “WAIT ON ME” begins with a smooth bassline that lulls the listener into the track. Then, LEW’s infectious voice starts the verse, introducing the fun storyline. Throughout the song, the singer tells her muse to commit. Rather than the stop-and-go they are putting her through, she encourages them to go all in. In the hook, she sings: “1, 2, 3 I'm waiting, don't wait on me // Don't wait, just say you need me.” She is falling for her subject, but is tired of men who play games. The artist confidently tells them not to wait for her move. They just need to jump

BORING

“BORING” is perhaps the epitome of a perfect pop song. LEW’s infectious vocals, the relatable self-destructive lyrics, and the catchy instrumentation blend to craft an unforgettable track. The bouncy dance-pop production is reminiscent of early Dua Lipa while upholding LEW’s individuality. Throughout the track, she explores the ugly truth of modern dating. Men are vicious, leaving women high and dry. But sometimes, you can get lucky and find one who sends “text me when you’re home, honey” messages. However, LEW admits that she misses that “little dangerous with the head rush.” She wants the excitement and unpredictability of dating a “bad boy” because, well, the good ones are just plain boring.

PHANTOM LIMB

The final track is a fast-paced breakup song that utilizes vivid imagery to describe a brutal breakup. LEW’s ex-partner is like a phantom limb. This phenomenon occurs when an amputee experiences pain or other sensations where their limb used to be. Similarly, LEW knows her partner is gone and not coming back; however, she sometimes still feels them there. They linger in her heart, creeping in when she least expects them. The clever lyricism brings her suffering to life, making the audience understand how deeply she longs for this person – even if she knows they were bad for her.

LEW is one of my favorite artists due to her authentic and creative lyrics, stunning vocals, and genre-bending talent. “TOO SEXY TO BE SAD” may be small, but it packs a lot of punch. The four tracks explore themes of confidence, longing, heartbreak, and desire. LEW knows how to draw in a crowd through unforgettable melodies and relatable lyrics. Her artistry keeps fans on their toes, making them crave more from the versatile artist. Follow LEW on all socials to stay updated with all new releases and announcements!

Written By Karlee Skipper