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Today we’ve got a special one from NY-based singer/songwriter Francis Aud. He’s known for writing more groove-driven music, but felt a bit stifled in the genre and created a new project called Stella. that he uses as a creative outlet to explore the rawer side of music and writing about more serious topics. He’s releasing his debut EP Amalfi on Drexel University’s Mad Dragon Records tomorrow, May 3.
We have the privilege of premiering the entire EP today. It’s a beautiful 6-track collection that gives us a glimpse into the pure songwriting skill and vocal talent of Aud. We’re excited to be able to introduce these tracks to the world!
The man behind Stella. was nice enough to give us a glimpse into each song on the album:
Overall
From start to finish, the overall EP tells a story of a very close relationship of mine ending and the songs are arranged chronologically from the ending of the relationship, to dealing with the loss, to the aftermath of the entire relationship.
Kiss Me Please
This song for me was meant to signal the knowing decline of a relationship. In this song I almost give up on the relationship and give in entirely to the reality of the situation which is that the relationship ending is unavoidable. I am inclined to believe that she wont remember me after the relationship ends and this leads me to self-defeating thoughts however I continue to come back to the idea that just a simple kiss from her in this moment would serve enough as a consolation.
Back To Me
This song for me is interesting because I think it strikes a balance between hopelessness and hope, that’s why the lyrics are a big nostalgic and longing in nature but the pace of the song is so upbeat. There’s a part of me that has subconsciously registered that the relationship is over and that now I can grow and be by myself however I’m almost also pretending to be over the entire relationship to try to challenge fate to surprise me and bring my estranged lover back to me. It’s almost a case of “I know that the moment I stop wanting this I will get it so I am going to pretend that I no longer want it to try and trick the universe into giving it to me.”
Marie
This song is named after the woman that this entire EP is about… It is a reflection on the relationship we shared and though at times it was very unhealthy for us both, the memory of the relationship will continue to haunt me with its beauty and the emptiness left behind from it.
Should’ve Known Better
This song to me is my most favorite and most impactful. It is a reminder of the free will of people and how they can leave at any time they so choose or whenever their feelings change. The moment I began to think this relationship would last forever is the exact moment where it had to come to an end.
Lovely Mistake
This song takes a gentler approach and more self-compassionate take on the narrative that follows one after a relationship has ended. Though it has some very sad lyrics in it – “Was it love we really made if it was so easy to throw away?” – it ultimately concludes that we were both simply misguided humans caught up in a moment.
Amalfi
This song is meant to evoke that feeling of it being months after a relationship has ended and you think of your former partner and you think “oh, if only we did this” or “if only we took this trip here” that we could have saved our relationship.
Stream the EP below and be sure to connect on socials for more!
Stella. on Instagram | Soundcloud | Official Site
