Three. Two. One. Go.

Album Review: Lennon Stella’s official debut

Three.+Two.+One.+allows+Stella+to+assemble+a+record+with+a+distinctive+sound%2C+borrowing+from+other+elements+in+pop+music+and+meshing+them+with+Stella%E2%80%99s+languid+and+broody+synthpop+sound.+Her+strongest+asset+is+her+vocal+performance+as+she+proves+herself+capable+with+a+unique+voice+that+is+rich+and+smooth+like+butter.+Adam+Antar

Justin Higuchi/Wikimedia Commons

“Three. Two. One. allows Stella to assemble a record with a distinctive sound, borrowing from other elements in pop music and meshing them with Stella’s languid and broody synthpop sound. Her strongest asset is her vocal performance as she proves herself capable with a unique voice that is rich and smooth like butter.” Adam Antar

Chloe Houwman, Entertainment Editor

Lennon Stella’s debut album, “Three. Two. One.,” was released on Apr. 24, 2020 and has been growing in popularity ever since. The album contains recollections of personal experiences and relationships blended seamlessly into an indie pop-infused R&B album.

Originally born in Canada, Stella moved to the U.S. and settled in Nashville, Tennessee with her family. Stella’s first step into stardom was when she and her sister, Maisy, were cast to the hit television series “Nashville.” Stella starred as Maddie Conrad from the premier in  2012 until the show ended in 2018. In the show, both Stella sisters show their musical talents while being compared to some of the best voices in country music.

At 19, Stella released her EP “Love, Me” in 2018. “Love, Me” featured previously released singles “Fortress,” “Bad,” and “Breakaway.” In addition to her EP, Stella was featured in many songs including “Polaroid” with Liam Payne and Jonas Blue, and “Takeaway” with The Chainsmokers and Illenium. In addition to being featured, Stella also opened for Anne-Marie in her “Speak Your Mind” tour and toured as an opening act along with 5 Seconds of Summer for The Chainsmokers.

As an avid Nashville fan myself, following Stella and watching her grow in the music industry has been an incredible journey to experience. Being an indie-pop musician whose music is described as ‘R&B tinged,’ this album didn’t stray far from her aesthetic. Stella’s vocals skillfully blended with the tempo. The frequent references to love and previous relationships specifically in the songs “Much too Much” and “Games” set a reflective and hopeful mood. Stella reflects on the past and creates an environment for listeners to relate to. 

In the piercing ballad “Fear of Being Alone,” the paramount ideas of the album come together: an introduction to who Stella is as a human being and what she has been through. This song has a sense of darkness which is absent from the rest of the album. The lyrics, ‘It’s not love that keeps us holding on / Ah, ah / It’s the fear of / It’s the fear of being alone,’ shed light on the idea that loneliness can make one do anything. Stella validates the feelings that can surface in any relationship and normalizes the emotions that can emerge.

The steady flow of acoustics throughout the album help to make Stella’s voice stand out and remain the focus of the music, which is something that I can not say for many albums these days. Stella has proved that she is capable of not just making music, but telling a story through it. I can’t wait to see what is in store for her and what her future brings.