‘Looking Up’ is a compelling and uplifting beacon of hope, bursting with vibrant synths and emotive, powerful vocals. Born from the desolate loneliness of the global pandemic, the song is a ray of sunshine breaking through storm clouds and a reminder that these times are temporary with better days just around the corner.
“’Looking Up’ is about holding on to hope, even through dark and challenging times,” Astræa explains. “I wrote and produced it alone in the depths of lockdown about my experiences struggling with the sense of isolation and claustrophobia that’s come with the past year. I wanted to create something that would take me to a brighter place, even when the world around me was uncertain and frightening. Knowing that one day we’d be free again to see family and travel got me through some of those tougher moments.”
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, symbolizing 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.
‘Looking Up’ is the first taste of new music following the release of her debut EP Tonight I Run last year and her acclaimed music has seen her win praise from the likes of The Sun, Wonderland, Clash, Mahogany and many more. With over 7.5 millions streams across platforms and having sold out headline shows at London’s St Pancras Old Church and St James’ Church Piccadilly, her forthcoming EP sees her continue to propel her success forwards.
