So, you're in your mid 30s and you listened to Aguilera's half-hour Spotify concert celebrating her 25th anniversary. And it hit you hard. Oh boy! Without even being romantic myself, this 90's-00's revival we are witnessing the last few years in music and fashion not only feels refreshing but hopeful for more music that's heartfelt and emotional. I never believed in our father's romanticism, even obsession at times, over the music they grew up with but I do miss the innocence before the internet exploded. Before sexy became slutty and before time turned into F.O.M.O. Let me stop this here, apologize and introduce the artist I'm writing for today, who is very much connected to this rant of a prologue.
Stephània is crafting R&B music like a Cypriot - confident and laid-back, while she offers her pieces like an Irish, with warmth and profusion. Carrying this heritage is her DNA, the L-A based songstress has released a number of singles since 2019 and has been featured in significant tours. But today the spotlight's on her latest single 'To Be Loved' which got me into her Soul/R&B universe. 'To Be loved' is a powerful ballad about finding love that is liberating and strong enough to provide with certainty and meaning despite outside factors.
Stephània manages to bring all the sensuality, emotion and subtle sexiness needed to support this euphoric notion of hers and at the same time, she takes the listener by the hand for a walk into the 90's with her Mariah-inspired performance and Whitney-imbued breaths. If I had to mention one thing that stands out the most here, is the way the first half of the track magnetizes the listener with muffled keys and velvet-smooth vocals echoing into a mysterious space until the second verse arrives to add beat and pave the way for the artist to intensify her performance and celebrate 'how it feels to be loved'.
Having also listened to Stephània's jazzy 'Best Part', red-hot 'Boy' and the erotic 'Tell Me', I can guarantee that if the LP promised to be released at some point in 2025 consists of these gems plus similar-vibed additions, it will be a contemporary classic. A go-to for younger generations to learn and for us to remember. From now on the Sanctum will proudly follow Stephània's journey in music and hope it reaches every soul that needs to hear it. Cheers!
You can enjoy Stephània here:
Comments