Sad Alex

The Los Angeles-based performer Sad Alex shapes her indie pop material around themes of romantic disappointment and intimate feelings, balancing raw openness with light comedic touches. One moment she might shape a sincere piece centered on sudden disappearances after dates, and the next she might dash off a disposable number whose entire lyric sheet is stitched from harsh internet remarks aimed at her output. Born Alexandra Grace Saad in Delaware, she began piano lessons at age five and created her earliest song, “Bad Day,” at twelve. She later studied physics at Loyola University in Maryland before choosing a music career and relocating to Los Angeles.

Under the name Alxxa she issued her debut electro-pop single “Fire” in early 2016, followed quickly by “Nobody,” “Body,” and “Rearview.” Her sole EP as Alxxa, titled Body, arrived in 2018. During those same years she supplied songs for other artists, including “Don't You Worry” and “Diamonds” for Kelly Rowland as well as “Shouldn't Couldn't Wouldn't” for Niki Zefanya and Rich Brian. In 2019 she adopted the Sad Alex identity, favoring a more indie-oriented sound and autobiographical themes. Alongside tracks such as “Routine,” “New Heartbreak,” and “Mess Without U,” she launched the ongoing demo series Songs That You'll Probably Never Hear.

She secured a deal with Red Bull Records, yet the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 suspended all live plans. She nevertheless kept issuing material, among them “Stockholm's a Ghost Town,” “I'm Glad That You Found Someone,” “Dating Myself,” and “California Queen,” while joining Wayne Regretzky on “Don't Make Me Miss You” and appearing with Duckwrth on Pulko’s “High Hopes.” After the 2021 release of her first EP Crydancing, further singles arrived, including 2022’s “Rugburn” and “High Sexpectations” plus 2023’s “Congrats I Hate U” and “Airbag.” Several later cuts, among them “Hot Priest” and “Everything Is Fine,” were gathered on her debut album I Thought That I'd Know by Now in 2024. Between May and July of that year she toured the United States supporting the indie rock band Arrows in Action.