On her new single, “Salem,” New York–based singer-songwriter Elizabeth Winterbourne enters her most adventurous storytelling chapter to date. Atmospheric, haunting, and profoundly poetic, this piece brings together moments of folk-pop intrigue and cinematic panoramas, allowing listeners into a realm where history, folklore, and modern womanhood intersect. “Salem” conveniently arrives just as Halloween approaches; however, the message arrives well beyond wardrobe choices and fables.
Though the song vibrantly depicts imagery of the infamous Salem witch trials, Winterbourne is purposeful in her metaphor. “Salem” is not just about witches; it’s about those we label, hush, and punish. It is a blazingly clear indictment of systems that have capitalized on targeting women and underrepresented people, particularly at the hands of narcissistic men in power. Yet, underneath its enchanting hooks and other-worldly vocal fabric, “Salem” is a call to action, part warning, part reckoning, part reclamation of power.
Winterbourne’s unique ability to merge narrative, emotion, and cultural reflection has always caused her craft to shine. Originally from Arizona and now based in New York City, she has established herself as a serious voice in the modern indie scene. Her music has been featured on PBS’s Roadtrip Nation, and she has graced stages at SXSW, The Bowery Electric, Caffe Lena, Breaking Sound NYC, New York Fashion Week, and festivals throughout the Northeast and Southwest. With features on Pop Passion, KOTO Telluride, and KXCI Tucson, her reputation has grown organically through not only her songwriting but also through her dynamic live shows when she performs.
Across her two EPs, “Christina’s World” and “Lost in Headlights,” Winterbourne crafted a recognizable mixture of Americana, indie folk, alt-pop, and classical modes. Critics often describe her writing style as being rich with imagery, relatable, and extremely vulnerable. Sinusoidal Music called Winterbourne’s single “Evergreen” a “masterpiece that invites you in to rest in its buoyancy,” and Pop Passion stated that “when Elizabeth picks up an acoustic guitar, it’s completely hypnotic.” In 2024, she was selected out of over 5,000 applicants for Pirate Studios’ Artist Residency, furthering this momentum.
However, “Salem” represents a different relevance. There is more fire in the production, more tone in the delivery, more bite in the song. “Salem” is a song made for two places: headphones in a dark room or a packed venue, screaming the chorus together. Sonically, it straddles the space between menace and beauty; thematically, it straddles the line between anger and liberation. Winterbourne does not just tell history; she tips and tilts history to reflect the present.
In a culture that remains in the tight grip of misogyny, control, and public shaming, “Salem” feels both related and necessary. It is a reminder of how quickly fear can be weaponized and the power of refusing to burn. With this song, Elizabeth Winterbourne proves she is not only a great storyteller, but a truth teller, who is unafraid to sing what we all swallow.
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