Acclaimed singer-songwriter Pedro Barbosa has released his highly anticipated EP, The Star in You. This marks his first official EP release since Lock Me Down in 2020.
Known for his dynamic musical style and evocative storytelling, Pedro embraces a fresh yet nostalgic sound with this latest project.
While Pedro Barbosa has spent the last two years primarily releasing singles, The Star in You brings together a collection of tracks recorded over time, unified by an overarching theme of resilience and reinvention
“The song ‘Star in You’ was initially called ‘The Phoenix,’ and that was going to be the EP’s concept,” Pedro explains. “But we decided to refine it. The EP is about coming back again, rising from the ashes—and in order to do that, you must find the star within you.”
Sonically, The Star in You leans into an ’80s-inspired soundscape, filled with synth-driven melodies while maintaining Pedro’s signature touch. “It has loads of synths but still carries my usual melodic influences. It’s a fun EP—easy listening and happy,” he says.
The recording process spanned over two years, from 2022 to 2024, with production handled by Mark Beling. Notably, Pedro Barbosa’s version of “Smash,” a song originally written by Clint van der Walt of the South African band Belljar, marks his first time recording another artist’s composition.
“It’s one of my favorite songs ever. I asked Clint if we could do a version, and he was in! Funny enough, I never saw him during the tracking process—we were both busy, and everything was done remotely.”
Reflecting on his evolution since Lock Me Down, Pedro Barbosa says, “I’m not sure I’ve evolved, but I’ve definitely changed. I like trying new things because I get bored, so my style has stepped into different musical areas. But I’m still the same old Pedro.”
As for what’s next, fans have even more to look forward to. “I’ve said that this year, I’d release my last album. I could have just made it one big album with 30 tracks, but I decided to release some EPs first to give it some continuity. The Star in You represents the ’80s-inspired side, and there will probably be an African-influenced EP before the full-length album.”
Through The Star in You, Pedro hopes listeners will find joy and connection. “I want people to feel happiness, to blast these songs during great drives, and sing them in the shower. And hopefully, stream them a lot!” he adds with a grin.
Check out the video for “Smash” below:
You can stream / download the EP HERE.
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