The Leo Sun Sets - Serena Isioma (2020) (Black Artist Spotlight)

by Chloe Richardson

In her latest EP The Leo Sun Sets, Serena Isioma invites us to join her on her turbulent journey to self-discovery. Exploring themes such as young love and heartbreak, sexuality, drug use and self-loathing paired with crooning guitars and bumping synthesizer beats, Isioma captures the complex and uncomfortable feelings that any member of today’s youth could relate to. Her almost fairy-like, ethereal vocals are a welcome comfort when juxtaposed with the cynical themes described in songs like “Why Am I So Toxic” and “I Don’t Wanna Go”. Although Isioma ends her EP with “Stop Calling the Police On Me”, which is not exactly an uplifting closer, she reminds us all that there is always someone out there who can relate to our troubles, and provides a blissful escape in the process.