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Enter the dreamscape of CASANDRA's ethereal project, in which listeners are taken on a sonic journey through six songs and a wave of emotions with her honey-smooth voice and bilingual lyrics produced by Jaye Locke. ISLA TRANQUILITA translates to "little island of peace," a tribute to CASANDRA's late great-aunt, who reminded her to slow down, breathe, and find calm when she felt overwhelmed by saying “tranquilita.”

CASANDRA demonstrates her genre-blending abilities through her lyrics, emotions, and rhythms. From R&B to alt-pop to electronic beats, this EP is a musical palette for many music lovers, showcasing her bilingual musical duality. "TRUTH SERUM" and "PERMANENT MISTAKE" highlight the EP's R&B sensibilities through piano keys, calmness, and lyricism. CASANDRA shares with OnesToWatch how she landed in this sonic direction: "It happened by happy accident. I'm drawn to what I'm drawn to. I've never been fixed on a particular genre. This just happens to be a project of peace and healing, so that's what it sounds like. Not to spoil the surprise, but there's more music to come quite soon that sounds worldly different."

Born in Miami with Cuban heritage and now living in LA, CASANDRA's music reflects both worlds. She searches for sounds that connect her to a "primordial place, that inevitably will trail towards whatever blood flows through me, and reflect the environments I'm inhabiting, externally and internally." Keeping her roots close, the sounds and textures she gravitates toward feel like home.

While creating ISLA TRANQUILITA, there were meaningful learning moments. For CASANDRA, she shares the project "feels like an ocean wave of hope washing up on shimmering shores. It has quite literally shown me enjoyment is possible in patience." She describes always having been a fast-paced person, but having discovered the pleasure of slowing down and taking her time. Feeling inspired by her aunt, CASANDRA explains, "This essence is something my great aunt Teresa elegantly embodied in her character, and I dedicate this album to her."

The EP also emerged from a challenging period in CASANDRA's life, with the creative process itself feeling like a form of healing. She reflects on a shift in her relationship with time and pace: "Things tend to come to life quickly, but I felt an absence of rush. I knew I no longer had to feel pressured or rushed. It's like I started trusting myself deeply for the first time maybe ever, and this music created a path for me to discover this," CASANDRA says.

The EP channels a new era for CASANDRA, one that fully represents her creative vision. She has been producing and writing her own music for many years, but "this feels like the first time I know exactly what I'm converting and presenting," CASANDRA reflects. Her lyrics often carry deeper messages and allow her to learn things about herself. Of this creative work, she shares, "I don't doubt it will still have things to teach me as that will probably never stop happening, but this era feels like my very first era in a way… because I really feel like myself." A true showcase of her artistry, ISLA TRANQUILITA is a quiet celebration and a powerful transformation.

Listen to ISLA TRANQUILITA below: