Nashville-based LGBTQ+ indie-rock artist Abby Nissenbaum begins 2026 with the release of her new single, “If You Wanted to You Would,” arriving January second. Known for pairing emotional clarity with infectious indie-rock arrangements, Nissenbaum once again delivers a track that balances vulnerability with resolve.

Built on a warm, blues-leaning melody and a drifting mid-tempo groove, “If You Wanted to You Would” showcases Nissenbaum’s evocative vocal delivery, one that critics have consistently praised for its emotional precision and expressive depth. The song moves effortlessly between wistful melancholy and quiet strength, capturing the internal shift that comes with choosing self-worth over uncertainty.

Speaking on the track, Nissenbaum describes it as a modern reinterpretation of a classic torch song.

“’If You Wanted To You Would’ is my modern take on a 60s torch song,” she explains. “I was inspired by artists like Lesley Gore who could combine vulnerability and heartbreak with quietly radical feminist declarations all delivered in a sweet, melodic pop package.”

Lyrically, the song explores the moment when resignation gives way to empowerment.

“The song is ultimately about the moment you stop negotiating your worth in someone else’s uncertainty, and decide instead to choose yourself and your own wellbeing,” Nissenbaum adds. “The through line of, ‘if you don’t care / then it’s all good / if you wanted to, you would’ sounds a bit like resignation on face value, but at its core, I see it as a mantra for closure.”

The release follows a string of critical praise for Nissenbaum’s work, with outlets highlighting her ability to translate complex emotions into accessible, hook-driven indie rock. Publications including Pop Off, Notion, Earmilk, Clash, and Wonderland have applauded her songwriting, emotive vocals, and growing presence within the modern indie landscape.

A lifelong musician and classically trained soprano, Nissenbaum’s path to indie rock was anything but linear. After years of musical theater and formal vocal training, she pursued a career in social psychology and data analytics before reconnecting with songwriting during graduate studies at the University of Memphis. That return culminated in her twenty twenty-three debut EP, Unreliable Narrator, which earned widespread international acclaim and established her as a compelling new voice in indie music.

With “If You Wanted to You Would,” Nissenbaum sets the tone for what promises to be a defining year, one rooted in emotional honesty, self-empowerment, and continued artistic growth.