Boasting simply a piano, delicately layered strings and a lone vocal, ‘Scars’ is a devastatingly emotional track that details a personal journey; a tale told over many years that sees pain and anguish blossom into empowering strength. The stripped-back ballad shows Astræa at her most vulnerable, blending the uplifting pop sensibilities of Gabrielle Aplin with the vivid and candid lyrical story-telling of Phoebe Bridgers as she proudly wears her wounds for all to see.
“Scars is about wearing my physical and emotional scars with pride, because they are what make me human,” Astræa details. “It was inspired by some of the difficult moments that I’ve lived through, including the death of my grandma. I’ve always believed that without the scrapes, bruises and pain that come with real life, we’d never appreciate joy, love and light. These scars have made me who I am in my raw and imperfect form. They remind me of the difficult times I’ve overcome as well as the strength I’ve grown as a result.”
‘Scars’ follows the release of recent single ‘Looking Up’, a gorgeous and elating reminder that better days are just around the corner which was accompanied by a music video filmed along the scenic Scottish coast and, most recently, a stunning live performance video. Both new songs provide a tantalising taste of the Looking Up EP, which sees Astræa continue to both share and evolve her creative vision.
Growing up in small-town Minnesota, which is snowbound for what seems like half the year, Astræa (now based in London) had spent her childhood drawn to music, singing in choirs and performing impromptu renditions of Disney classics to anyone who would listen until her family was bequeathed an old piano from the 19th century and she began expanding her musical and creative horizons.
Inspired by strong female artists and producers like Kate Bush and Tori Amos as well as composers Ludovico Einaudi and Hans Zimmer, she found writing music as a form of catharsis. The name Astræa comes from that idea of catharsis, symbolising the idea of there being light within the darkness.
Astræa’s production and songwriting career has gained her credits with the likes of Ward Thomas, Hannah Grace, Empara Mi, Dom Brown (Duran Duran) and Charlie Straw. Her music has soundtracked high profile TV and ad syncs for Love Island, Lloyds Bank, Very.co.uk and Standard Chartered, garnered millions of streams and high iTunes and Spotify chart placements.
After the release of her debut EP Tonight I Run last year, her acclaimed music has seen her win praise from the likes of The Sun, Wonderland, Clash, Mahogany and many more. With over 7.5 million streams across platforms and having sold out headline shows at London’s St Pancras Old Church and St James’ Church Piccadilly, 2021 sees Astræa continue to propel her success forwards.
LOOKING UP EP TRACKLISTING
- Stranger
- Take Me Away
- Scars
- Looking Up
