After a two-year hiatus in order to prioritize raising her child, Nurmsalu returned to music in 2012.
She performed guest vocals on the single "Sel teel" by Estonian musician Sinine; the song went on to become a top ten hit in Estonia, and also received airplay in France and Germany.
Nurmsalu later began performing traditional Estonian folk songs at various musical events and festivals throughout Estonia.
In October 2012, Nurmsalu went on tour alongside several other Estonian musicians to celebrate 100 years of Estonian film and music, performing concerts at venues in Tallinn, Pärnu, and Tartu.
Later that year, Nurmsalu announced the Rändajad concert tour.
The tour played at several small venues in Harju County, where Nurmsalu was raised, including her hometown of Alavere.

In December 2012, to coincide with her return to the music industry, Nurmsalu formed her own record label Muusikalind to promote her music.
In 2013, Nurmsalu performed at the Estonian musical concert Öölaulupidu Järjepidevus where she debuted her first original single since returning to music, "Väike Eestimaa".
On 26 September 2013, "Väike Eestimaa" was officially released by Moonwalk Studios and included an announcement that Nurmsalu was working on a new album with her former producer Lõhmus.

In December 2013, Nurmsalu was announced as one of the semi-finalists in Eesti Laul 2014 with the song "Kui tuuled pöörduvad", written by Lõhmus.
This marked her first return to the competition since winning its inaugural edition in 2009 with Urban Symphony.
Nurmsalu advanced from the second semi-final on 21 February 2014, to the final, held in Tallinn on 1 March.
In the final, Nurmsalu placed third with the Estonian public, but second-to-last with the professional juries, placing fifth overall and not advancing to the superfinal.
Nurmsalu's placement was considered a shock, as many expected her to win the competition.
Despite not winning, "Kui tuuled pöörduvad" became a top five single in Estonia and Nurmsalu's highest-charting hit since "Rändajad".

After Eesti Laul, she planned to release the single "Mängurõõm" in early-2015, but the song was never released after Nurmsalu left Moonwalk Records and cut ties with her former producer Lõhmus.
After leaving Moonwalk, Nurmsalu went on another hiatus from the music industry.
She returned to music in 2017, releasing the singles "Jäälilled" and "Kevad on alati alles".
She also developed a new working relationship with Estonian producer Priit Pajusaar. "
Jäälilled" was written by Nurmsalu's partner Tarmo Kask, while "Kevad on alati alles" was written by Estonian poet Aapo Ilves; the music for both songs was composed by Nurmsalu, Pajusaar, and Pille Piir.

Nurmsalu returned to Eesti Laul once more, being announced as one of the semi-finalists for its 2019 edition in November 2018 with the song "Soovide puu"; the song became the first entry Nurmsalu had written, cowriting it with Pajusaar and Ilves.
Nurmsalu qualified from the first semi-final on 31 January 2019 as a second-round qualifier; she did not receive high enough scores from the professional jury or Estonian public in the initial round, but was one of two entries saved by the public as a first semi-final wildcard.
She then advanced to the final on 16 February, where she placed eighth in the competition.
After a two-year hiatus in order to prioritize raising her child, Nurmsalu returned to music in 2012. She performed guest vocals on the single "Sel teel" by Estonian musician Sinine; the song went on to become a top ten hit in Estonia, and also received airplay in France and Germany. Nurmsalu later began performing traditional Estonian folk songs at various musical events and festivals throughout Estonia. In October 2012, Nurmsalu went on tour alongside several other Estonian musicians to celebrate 100 years of Estonian film and music, performing concerts at venues in Tallinn, Pärnu, and Tartu. Later that year, Nurmsalu announced the Rändajad concert tour. The tour played at several small venues in Harju County, where Nurmsalu was raised, including her hometown of Alavere.
In December 2012, to coincide with her return to the music industry, Nurmsalu formed her own record label Muusikalind to promote her music. In 2013, Nurmsalu performed at the Estonian musical concert Öölaulupidu Järjepidevus where she debuted her first original single since returning to music, "Väike Eestimaa". On 26 September 2013, "Väike Eestimaa" was officially released by Moonwalk Studios and included an announcement that Nurmsalu was working on a new album with her former producer Lõhmus.
In December 2013, Nurmsalu was announced as one of the semi-finalists in Eesti Laul 2014 with the song "Kui tuuled pöörduvad", written by Lõhmus. This marked her first return to the competition since winning its inaugural edition in 2009 with Urban Symphony. Nurmsalu advanced from the second semi-final on 21 February 2014, to the final, held in Tallinn on 1 March. In the final, Nurmsalu placed third with the Estonian public, but second-to-last with the professional juries, placing fifth overall and not advancing to the superfinal. Nurmsalu's placement was considered a shock, as many expected her to win the competition. Despite not winning, "Kui tuuled pöörduvad" became a top five single in Estonia and Nurmsalu's highest-charting hit since "Rändajad".
After Eesti Laul, she planned to release the single "Mängurõõm" in early-2015, but the song was never released after Nurmsalu left Moonwalk Records and cut ties with her former producer Lõhmus. After leaving Moonwalk, Nurmsalu went on another hiatus from the music industry. She returned to music in 2017, releasing the singles "Jäälilled" and "Kevad on alati alles". She also developed a new working relationship with Estonian producer Priit Pajusaar. "Jäälilled" was written by Nurmsalu's partner Tarmo Kask, while "Kevad on alati alles" was written by Estonian poet Aapo Ilves; the music for both songs was composed by Nurmsalu, Pajusaar, and Pille Piir.
Nurmsalu returned to Eesti Laul once more, being announced as one of the semi-finalists for its 2019 edition in November 2018 with the song "Soovide puu"; the song became the first entry Nurmsalu had written, cowriting it with Pajusaar and Ilves. Nurmsalu qualified from the first semi-final on 31 January 2019 as a second-round qualifier; she did not receive high enough scores from the professional jury or Estonian public in the initial round, but was one of two entries saved by the public as a first semi-final wildcard. She then advanced to the final on 16 February, where she placed eighth in the competition.
Sandra Nurmsalu