Los Angeles-based alternative R&B artist Sangstaa just released his emotive new single “DEAR ROSÉ”. The Asian-American artist, who effortlessly blends hip-hop, R&B, and pop for a rush of experimental sounds, radiates an authenticity and complexity in his music which makes him appealing to a wide range of listeners.
In “DEAR ROSÉ”, Sangstaa writes a letter to a former lover where he says all the things he wished he could. Poignant, exposed, and highly relatable, he shares exactly how he’s feeling about the loss. Lyrics such as, “can we just talk // can we just talk it out // what are you mad about // tell me to turn around” shows that he is still hanging on, even though he knows his destiny is elsewhere. Sangstaa adds, “Around that time in my life all I felt was sadness and hurt. It was crazy, so I never wrote anything down and then it just came to me because I actually had things I wanted to say that I couldn’t tell her – so I said it to my microphone instead.”
The track begins with fuzzy, distorted soundscapes featuring prominent strums of the acoustic guitar, fluid vocals, and a moody vibe that feels melancholic. About halfway through the song, Sangstaa begins introducing unexpected sonics as the tempo picks up and reaches a climatic and passionate ending.
“DEAR ROSÉ” is all about closure. Sometimes you can’t open a closed door, but moving through those emotions is a cathartic experience that helps us heal and push forward.
Sangstaa is Sangyeok Lee, an artist originally from South Korea who moved to Raleigh, North Carolina as a child where he began his musical journey. Born into a musical family, Sangstaa was influenced by the sights and sounds of the hip-hop culture which led him to find his signature sound. Now residing in Los Angeles, the artist has garnered a fervent fanbase through his unorthodox, catchy style and relatable themes of internal struggles and overcoming difficult situations.
Listen to Sangstaa’s “DEAR ROSÉ” here and get lost in this dreamy, melancholic late night vibe.
