After premiering her latest single "Laid Off" last week, Staasia Daniels returns to deliver her debut project, Hidden Gems. The new EP is rife with smoothness, which is something we have come to expect from the rising Brampton native. On Hidden Gems, the R&B songstress clearly isn't afraid to flex her vocal talent, pairing melodic runs over airy and atmospheric production. Speaking with Complex Canada, Staasia detailed the process of recording Hidden Gems, and why you should be down with SD.
It sounds like there was quite the buildup to this release. How does it feel to get this music out?
"My heart is literally racing, and my eyes are filling up with water. I don't even know where to begin. I'm just going to say that this wasn't easy. I've been releasing material since 2011, so the goal was always to put together my masterpiece, but so many things went wrong along the way, it almost felt like it would never happen. I've watched and supported almost everyone I of know release a body of work, 2 or 3 even, [laughs], and as much as there has been a few times where I could have just released one, my heart, and my mind wouldn't let me."
What was the recording process of ‘Hidden Gems’ like? How is this a departure from your previous work?
"From learning how to successfully record myself, mix and all that jazz, I can truly say that growing through this has been amazing. I started out doing covers on YouTube, editing my own cheesy videos, [laughs], to then doing original music and growing from there! Yes, I've felt defeated, discouraged, friends dropped out of the SD Academy, and I've felt I wasn't good enough etc, but if it all happened for this moment right here, AMEN! I couldn't be happier with everything from my amazing team, my writing, my arrangements, the mixes, transitions, artwork, and not being afraid to be myself anymore!"
Before you send this project into the world, what do you want us to know?
"Hidden Gems is my debut project, and I believe this is my best foot forward. I just hope whoever listens to it, just feels it. What was once my imagination, is surely becoming my reality. Here I am, I am ready."
You can stream Hidden Gems below. You can also stream the EP on Apple Music and Spotify.
