With Land Mines, Therapy, The End, and Countryman released over the last two years, this marks the final chapter in Sabreen’s glorious new EP, Forget Me When I’m Gone.
This six-track body of work is a marvel of songwriting, crowned by a sublime vocal performance from Sabreen and astute writing cover-to-cover. Beginning with the previous single, Therapy, produced by frequent collaborator Nathaniel Selway, it is an unapologetic pop-rock hit, with singable chorus lines, driving percussion, and grooving bass.
It’s followed by Land Mines, a more subdued affair with soothing vocal delivery and flowing guitar, alongside a cinematic chorus, allowing Nina to follow in style. Embracing country music stylings, complete with a final chorus key change, slide guitar, and streams of ad-libs and harmonies.
Discussing the release, Sabreen explains: “’Forget Me When I’m Gone’ is my proudest artistic achievement. These six songs challenged me to write beyond my comfort zone, to tell my own stories truthfully and to tell stories of other people, which I believe should be remembered. It is an EP of catharsis, grief, anger, and love, detailing my struggles with mental health, relationships, and real stories from New Zealand to Palestine. The world around this EP and its aesthetic and sonic blend with my South Asian culture has been a joy to create – and I am just getting started.”
Within this EP, she’s also told the real story behind Chinese-New Zealander Joe Kum Yung, a Chinese gold miner who was murdered a century ago, in a ballad titled Countryman. This led to Sabreen being crowned one of the Y25 Changemakers in 2025, with the song now included in the Victoria University curriculum for Asian Studies. Over is the penultimate offering, continuing in its predecessors’ folk roots, with subtle string lines and plucked guitars in atmospheric production.
At just 23 years old, Sabreen has achieved much so far. Having made a name for herself as a community advocate, bringing together collaborators from Arabic and South Asian musical traditions for The End, featuring Rana Hamida, the EPs final track.
The EP showcases Sabreen’s artistry, songwriting prowess, and ability to create timeless work. Encompassing different genres, Sabreen has earned a spot at The Artist Studio Songwriting Camp Italy, 2026, and has been seen on stages throughout New Zealand, including Prateek Kuhad’s Silhouettes Tour. Having self-directed videos, told wide-ranging stories, and impacted so many on her journey so far, Sabreen’s future is undoubtedly bright.
Sabreen turns personal emotion, cultural identity and forgotten stories into a beautifully varied six-track journey on Forget Me When I’m Gone
