Njomza unveils genre-bending EP ‘Stages’

Rising pop artist Njomza is best known for her songwriting prowess on Ariana Grande’s “7 rings” and “thank u, next.” Her star continues to shine, this time as a solo artist, as she unveils her highly anticipated new EP, “Stages.” The release came after steadily feeding fans with a trio of sonically diverse singles for the last six months.

A collection of late-night R&B, atmospheric dance sonics and synth-pop sensibilities backing Njomza’s sultry vocal, “Stages” sees the singer-songwriter at her most authentic, having created a signature style formed from an impressive melting pot of influences.

Rising pop artist Njomza 

“Stages” follows debut EP “sad for you” and follow-up “Vacation,” both of which received love from music fans and acclaim from critics alike.

The seven-track project includes single releases — self-love dance anthem “Emotional,” post-pandemic pop tune “Over You” with Louis The Child, and minor key anthem “Clown” — and a new single “Love Again,” a production-led R&B earworm, out with the EP today.

“‘Emotional’ is about dealing with heartbreak. Sonically I was inspired by dance music but wanted to bring it back into my alternative pop/R&B space that I usually create in,” Njomza said in an email interview with Music Geek.

“I think it played a part in being able to bend genres in my music. I’ve experienced different cultures and have learned a lot from doing so,” Njomza said.

Njomza makes accessible pop music that updates the atmosphere of ’90s R&B with modernized production, composition and subject matter.

She was introduced to R&B through her sister, and later began listening to rock and pop rock music, adding to her prized book of assorted inspiration.

Starting out posting cover versions of various hip-hop artists such as Kid Cudi and Mac Miller on YouTube.”

Mac Miller saw a cover of mine that I made of his song ‘I’ll be there’ on YouTube. He later signed me to his independent label called REMember Music,” Njomza said.

She was the label’s first signee. She featured on the track “Planet God Damn” from Miller’s acclaimed last album, ‘The Divine Feminine’ in 2016, thereafter unveiling her acclaimed debut EP, ‘Sad For You’ in 2017.

No stranger to the spotlight, Njomza’s total career streams have surpassed 50 million.

“That’s crazy to me! All I have to say is thank you because if I told the little girl version of me that she would freak out,” Njomza said when asked of her reaction to the 50 million streams.

Here’s more of Music Geek’s interview with this pop veteran, special thanks to Audrey Ong of Secret Signals:

Music Geek: When did you first realize you wanted to make music? I like to say I always knew. I can’t remember a time without the passion I have for music in my life. I think it’s something I’ll always do even if I ever stop doing it “professionally”.

Who did you grow up listening to? I grew up on R&B, soul, rock, pop, and dance music. Even traditional Albanian music. My influences vary and all come together when I’m in the songwriting process.

Do you write songs to express your feelings or to direct a message to a specific person? Both! Sometimes I feel like I can communicate my feelings better through song. It’s an emotional release for me and sometimes like a letter I never got to send someone.

What is your creative and songwriting process? I like to dive deep into what I’m going through and try to express it. I sit in a room, have some chords playing, and see what melodies come to me naturally. Then I write the lyrics and tell the story.

Was there a time you also wished you recorded the song you wrote for other people? There’s never been a moment where I’ve felt that. When I collaborate with other artists, I feel like I’m a vessel. I’m there to help execute whatever they are trying to create.

You have also collaborated with the likes of Pink Sweat$, Mac Miller, Skrillex, Ari Lennox, Russ and more! Which one is your favorite so far? I don’t like to pick favorites! Haha. I love the creative process of it all. I really do learn something different from everybody I work with.

What is music to you? A form of therapy.

What gives you more fulfilment: songwriting or recording a song or album? Recording a song that I’ve written is the best. It’s like creating something tangible out of thin air.

How would you like to be remembered?As someone who never gave up.

What’s next for you/what are you excited about? I’m excited to keep studying music and getting better at it. More music is next!