Following an incredible debut year with her two singles “Love or Die” and crowd-favorite, “Do Not Disturb”, which garnered over 300,000 streams across all units, Ghanaian-Filipino alternative pop sensation Anabel Rose returns with debut single of 2024. This is her first solo release of the year after featuring on Iyke Parker x Leonardoddj’s “Pain and Pleasure” and Reez’s “SAY WHAT.” This track promises to captivate listeners with its emotional depth and unique sound. Titled “Lungs,” the song sees Anabel Rose open up about her love languages and her desire for deeper intimacy. She candidly expresses her longing to “love and be loved” while acknowledging the vulnerability and risk involved in opening up. The track, a fusion of alternative R&B and Soul with Bossa Nova influences, showcases Anabel’s raw vulnerability. Caught in a contrasting situation, Anabel yearns to spend quality time with her lover but hesitates to engage in physical touch. She poignantly captures this in the lyrics:
Baby What’s the rush??? We had only just learned to touch each other… Why can’t it be enough? “We could lay in bed instead ….. Whisper secrets never shared…. Finding ways to say I lo-lo-lo-lo-love you”
“Lungs” delves into the complexities of modern relationships, highlighting the hesitancy many feel about revealing their true wants. Unlike her peers, Anabel boldly voices her desires, accepting the risk of not always receiving a positive response, in hopes of fostering understanding with her lover. Produced by fellow 99PHACES member Mēl, “Lungs” showcases Anabel Rose’s vocal prowess and lyricism, which have earned her a dedicated following. Anabel Rose shared, “This song is a piece of my heart. It’s about the delicate dance of intimacy and understanding in love, and the risk that comes with it. I hope it resonates with everyone who listens.”
ABOUT ANABEL ROSE
Anabel Rose, a Filipino-Ghanaian Alt-pop artist, on a path of sonic exploration with unapologetic freedom. At 25, she’s captivating a growing global audience. Singing since she was 8 years-old, Anabel Rose has always been a natural performer. Now, as a recording artist with two singles released, she’s steadily cementing her eclectic sound and creative direction. Rooted in Pop, her music effortlessly ncorporates elements of rock, R&B, Alté, House, Bossa Nova, and Jazz. She looks up to artists who are unapologetic in their sound, fusing a range of genres to birth new and exciting sounds. This includes Amaarae, Somadina, WILLOW and Teezo Touchdown.
Her last single, “Do Not Disturb,” played a huge role in growing her listener base, the Rosalindas. The track earned her international recognition, including a spot on H&M’s global playlist and a nod from Native Magazine as one of November 2023’s best new artists. A member of the Ghanaian music collective 99PHACES, Anabel thrives on collaboration and community. Her career began as a Black Girls Glow fellow in 2018, where she shaped her artistic identity and continues to engage in meaningful work intersecting music and social development. Through her music, Anabel Rose invites listeners to experience music and- by extension- life, without the fear of external validation.
Written by Nana Kojo Mula