Recommended Tracks: “TRUTH SERUM,” “EXPLICIT,” “ISLA TRANQUILITA”
Artists You Might Like: Julia Cooper, Billie Eilish, EARTH TO EMILY
What do you do throughout the day to stay calm? Do you take deep breaths? Do you scream into a pillow? Do you play with a fidget toy? You can’t go wrong with any of these options, and it almost seems necessary to have at least one method at the ready for daily stressors and unpleasantries. A phrase that has stayed with LA-based artist CASANDRA is “tranquilita,” which her late great aunt Teresa would say to her whenever she felt overwhelmed as a child. This reminded CASANDRA to pause and calm down, and it was something that she returned to for her new EP, ISLA TRANQUILITA. The project was created during a physically and emotionally difficult time for CASANDRA, and it ended up serving as a form of healing. It is also a warm dedication to her great aunt, who was a central source of comfort for CASANDRA throughout her childhood.
The EP opens with “TRUTH SERUM” and “PERMANENT MISTAKE,” which introduce listeners to CASANDRA’s eclectic sound. On “TRUTH SERUM,” we hear elegant piano lines that cater to modern beats and electric guitar strums, giving us a diverse soundscape. Meanwhile, CASANDRA delivers observant and thoughtful lines like, “Do you know what’s good for you?” and “Time escapes us all,” setting a meditative mood. There is also a dreamy nuance to the track, which festers in the more playful “PERMANENT MISTAKE.” Here, listeners get more of a pop and R&B vibe with light riffs and resonant vocals. CASANDRA then decorates this space with melodic rap lines and compelling lyrics that pull you in and refuse to let go.
CASANDRA shows that she is right at home at Isla Tranquilita when we get to the middle of the EP. On “WANT VS NEED,” she knows what she can do, and she is eager for a chance to prove herself. Her brittle vocals contrast the power of her words, where she sings, “When I wanna go / You’ll feel my fire / You’ll see me shine.” She then grapples with what she wants on “EXPLICIT.” It showcases her vulnerable side, providing an interesting contrast to “WANT VS NEED.” With sweet vocals, she sings, “I know somewhere you feel me / But I won’t let temptation come near me / Safe in my head / No one can hear me,” trying to resist her tender thoughts and feelings.
The EP then comes to a close with “SOLUTION” and the title track. There is a tropical edge to “SOLUTION” in the rhythms and fluid beats, providing a cool contrast to the dreamy and modern productions we have heard thus far. It celebrates where she is now in her life and brings good vibes going into the end of the project. We go into the end with “Isla Tranquilita,” arriving at our final destination. It serves as a little oasis at the end of this wide-ranging project, complete with bright guitar strums and spirited rhythms. CASANDRA states, “Isla Tranquilita / Be a little moment for me,” allowing the warmth of this song to take over for her and for the listener.
Overall, ISLA TRANQUILITA beautifully establishes a new era for CASANDRA. After nearly half a decade of refining her artistry and carving her own path in the music scene, she has fully embraced a sound that is all her own. The songs on ISLA TRANQUILITA contain a unique character, a unique flavor that goes against the expected. Whether she is combining genres, styles, or mixing up a traditional verse-chorus layout in her songs, CASANDRA is creating art through her music and allowing pure expression to unfold.
You can listen to ISLA TRANQUILITA here.
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