At just 16, Sloan Treacy is proving that emotional depth doesn’t wait for age. Her new single “The Good Part” — the second release from her upcoming sophomore EP — is a quietly devastating piece of songwriting that blends coming-of-age vulnerability with the polish of seasoned production. It’s a song about waiting for a promise that never comes true, and the ache of knowing you’re still waiting anyway.
Produced by Don Miggs (Dolly Parton, Cowboy Mouth) and mixed by Grammy-winner Mark Needham (Imagine Dragons, The Killers), The Good Part is a delicate, haunting addition to Sloan’s growing discography. And it just might be her most emotionally resonant song yet.
One of the most striking things about The Good Part is that it was written in the moment. As Sloan shared, “I wrote this song at the last minute before going into the studio, and then decided to record it on the spot.” That spontaneity shows — not in the sense of rough edges or unpolished lines, but in its immediacy. The song feels freshly felt, as if the emotion that inspired it hasn’t had time to cool off. And that’s what gives it power.
Sloan sings about denial and longing in a way that’s surprisingly self-aware. The person in the song keeps promising something better, but the narrator knows deep down that “the good part” isn’t coming. Still, she stays. And that push-pull between hope and resignation is where the emotional tension of the song lives.
Musically, The Good Part follows in the footsteps of artists like Gracie Abrams and Lizzy McAlpine, both of whom Sloan has been compared to. It’s stripped back but never sparse — a soft bed of atmospheric guitars, understated percussion, and emotive vocal delivery that makes you lean in to catch every word.
Miggs’ production allows the emotion to breathe, while Needham’s mixing brings a cinematic depth that’s subtle but effective. This is not a bombastic pop anthem; it’s a moment of emotional stillness. A late-night text you never send. A thought you don’t quite want to admit to yourself. And that restraint is exactly what makes the song so powerful.
Sloan’s strength lies in her honesty. Her lyrics never feel forced, and she resists the urge to over-explain or over-perform. In The Good Part, she taps into something universal: the fear that maybe the best part of something — or someone — has already passed you by, and you’re still there, hoping it hasn’t.
It’s a feeling that’s especially potent in the teenage years, when so much of life feels like waiting for something bigger to begin. But Sloan captures it with a maturity that suggests she’s not just writing from her own experience — she’s writing for anyone who’s ever clung to a hope they weren’t sure they believed in.
Following the success of her 2024 debut EP Stuck — which included standout singles like Mastermind of Madness and Great Escape — Sloan is starting to define her sound: intimate, reflective, and lyrically sharp. The Good Part is another step forward, showing growth in both writing and emotional range.
And beyond the music, Sloan brings a grounded charm that makes her easy to root for. An avid reader, baker, and high school track runner, she recently moved to Franklin, Tennessee to be closer to Nashville’s vibrant music scene. “I love going to concerts,” she says. “It’s one of my favorite things. I can’t wait to tour and share my music with as many people that resonate with it as I can.” With songs like The Good Part, that audience is only going to keep growing.
The Good Part is not flashy. It doesn’t try to be a viral hit. Instead, it’s something more valuable: an honest, beautifully crafted song that meets you where you are — especially if where you are is somewhere between hope and heartbreak. It’s another compelling release from an artist who is still just getting started, but already knows exactly what she wants to say.
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