#steph wells

[iheartmoosiq]

I consider it a blessing that electronic pop phenom SUMif hails from right here in San Francisco, because it’s given us ample opportunity to see the rising talent live numerous times these last two years, with each time as ebulliently scintillating as the last, if not more. Singer songwriter and producer Steph Wells, whom we love for her dazzling spectrum of vibrantly infectious, prismatic capering tunes as SUMif, renders us breathless with her vigorous performances and her dashing charisma. We’re hoping we’ll get to take in new song Know You on Friday night, when we get to see her again in support of UK sensation Youngr at Popscene in San Francisco. Know You is a smooth and fleecy yet lavish and luscious song that projects a more vulnerable and tender side to SUMif’s pop. Flourishing strings, airy beats, and plump satiny synths accompany SUMif’s limber vocal enchantment on the dewy eyed gem, which inundates us in a palpable surge of heartfelt emotion. You Know follows on SUMif’s excellent debut EP Pretty Cage earlier this year and a bevy of irresistible singles like Love Shop, Disco Love, and Body, all of which have culminated in a rising tide of well deserved buzz for the radical artist. It’s no wonder SUMif is championed by many as a cutting-edge newcomer to watch. You Know is out on iTunes, here. You can also stream the single on Spotify, here. We highly recommend you make it out to Popscene at the Rickshaw Stop on Friday night if you can. We’re even giving away a few pairs of tickets on Twitter. All you have to do is retweet by the end of tonight to participate, here.

[iheartmoosiq]

It’s been a treat watching queer San Francisco based artist and producer SUMif ascend the electro-pop ranks with her music this past year. Steph Wells, the musician behind the magic, first caught our ears with wildly infectious Lay Down, a song that still pops into our heads at the most random of moments (and we sure do cherish it when that happens). We’ve also had the pleasure of catching her energetic and charismatic sets live countless times at Popscene in San Francisco. It was just this week that I caught wind from industry friends that Steph will be bringing SUMif to her very first show in New York soon, and we’re excited for all the new fans she’s going to reel in when she does. SUMif returns today with new single Love Shop, a vivacious glimmering, saccharine pulsing electropop song and another instantaneously hooking, snappy contagious addition to her growing compendium of earworms. SUMif told C-Heads Magazine about the song:  "The crazy passion and intensity in the beginning of a relationship can drive anyone mad and I’m certainly not immune to that. There’s no fiercer feeling than the possibility of a love story unfolding, besides of course, the feeling of interest fading and that story ending. Love Shop is about getting wrapped up in the women who have come into my life and losing myself completely into something that wasn’t even real. It’s this realization that ultimately sets me free – that I deserve more than an illusion of love." We’re more than ready to hop and dance to this jaunty and peppy new SUMif jam, which is a free download, here.

[atcostmag]

SUMif - Too Long

The fourth and latest single ahead of SUMif’s upcoming album due for its fall release San Francisco’s Steph Wells shares “Too Long”. A heavenly slice of pop euphoria, the track glistens over her dreamy resonance and fading reverb. Complimenting its billowy haze flowing its the crisp, groove of its beaming electro-funk, SUMif’s soft and sultry vocal tint gets a buzzing, retro-futuristic tint.  

SUMif’s “Too Long” is preceded by the staccato jolt of last EP’s “Holding On” and the wispy, sensuality of “Obvious” from “Kinda Real”; the Balearic air of “Drink Yours Too” and percolating snap of  “Sign”

“Holding On”

SUMif · Holding On

“Obvious”

SUMif · Obvious

“Drink Yours Too”

SUMif · Drink Yours Too

“Sign”

SUMif · Sign

“Too Long”

SUMif · Too Long

[atcostmag]

SUMif - Undone

Her music a celebration of inclusivity, Steph Wells of the SUMif moniker shares her latest single “Undone”, the San Francisco resident’s dedication to making gender-fluid pop anthems. Taking a euphoric synth-pop air, the resonant pump of rummaging bass and percolating house-pop synths on “Undone” glimmer to the sweet sultry wisp of her vocals on her latest number. A rush of emotion in what is Wells’ final track for the year, Steph had this to say about “Undone”:

"I found myself in a momentary dream, one of those pinch-me-dreams that felt all too good to last. In those fleeting moments I tried desperately to hold on, all while knowing that nothing gold can stay; these are the thoughts that raced through my mind, all the words I couldn’t say."

You can check out “Undone” alongside the falsetto-sweetness of her previous track “Know You”:

“Know You”

“Undone”

[atcostmag]

SUMif - Body

June is Pride Month and we’ve got a new number for our proudly out and about protagonist, Steph Wells of SUMif. Aptly titled “Body”, the track is a little bit of a booty call. Over the boom, clap snare of its upbeat percussion, SUMif’s deep and breathy vocal delivery pays homage to the carnal desires. “Body” follows the tradition of SUMif’s soft, gentle pop euphoria as recently witnessed by previous single “Disco Love” which you can check out as well:

[atcostmag]

SUMif - Say

“Say” is the latest single from San Francisco’s Steph Wells, an ode to those “now or never” feelings. Moving through its scaling synth decline, the slow and gradual "Say” builds over a gentle crescendo of warm, soothing vocals to subtle overlays of glowing keys and muted bass sound. With regards to the track, Steph has always been upfront about her sexual orientation, and speaking about her latest single, Wells had this to say about her latest single:

“'Say' is a nod to that those inner conflicts that everyone has experienced. When every bone in your body wants something or someone, but you’re a little scared of what that means. It’s that moment where you feel a shift, and give in. It’s transformative."

You can check out the track below:

[atcostmag]

SUMif - Love Shop

A light, buzzing electropop track, “Love Shop” is the latest single from San Francisco’s Steph Wells, better known as SUMif. Bright and upbeat, the track builds on a subtle crescendo, trickling through quickly arpeggiated beats and the soft, delicate wisp of Wells’ youthful glow. Not one to shy away from who she is, Steph wrote “Love Shop” to explore the joys and disappointment of connecting romantically, which at times feels more temporary than anything as she explains,

“There’s no fiercer feeling than the possibility of a love story unfolding, besides of course, the feeling of interest fading and that story ending. Love Shop is about getting wrapped up in the women who have come into my life and losing myself completely into something that wasn’t even real. It’s this realization that ultimately sets me free – that I deserve more than an illusion of love.”

You can check out SUMif’s “Love Shop” and revisit her previous single for “Hurricane”:

[atcostmag]

SUMif - Drifting

“Drifting”, is the latest track from San Francisco’s Steph Wells, better known by her artistic handle SUMif. A track about the push and pull of a relationship, “Drifting” is a song of contrasts. While the song is carried through the light and lofty of Wells’ dreamy vocal mist, its dreamy textures are driven down by the juxtaposing snarl of penetrating deep house beats. Speaking about the track Steph had this to say about the single:

"'Drifting' describes the confusing distant feeling you sometimes experience in a close relationship - the push, pull, and disconnection with those closest to you. My goal as an artist is to make you want to move when you’re listening. Whether it be at a live show or at your desk, I hope my music makes you dance."

“Drifting” is preceded by the undulating synth work of previous single “IDW” which you can also check out below: