We Speak Music
Phonseca release pulsating “Staring At The Sea”
Phonseca is a Synthpop/Ambient/Electronica project, which brings together Bristol’s much respected keys/synth player Matthew O’Connor and brilliant Swedish vocalist Kristina Sheppard.
Matthew has a rich musical background, bringing his talent to bands across the musical spectrum from House to Shoegaze, Psyche to Soundtrack, Electronica, Britpop and Rock. Both touring and featuring on albums released on labels as diverse as Rocket Recordings, Invada Records and Dishy Recordings, his creative input has featured on many projects. Inevitably the urge to form a more personal musical landscape saw him starting to write his own music. This began the process which resulted in “Between A Dream”, the debut Phonseca album, which came out in 2019.
The album was championed in the UK on BBC Radio 6 Music by both Gideon Coe and Steve Lamacq. With Steve Lamacq featuring it in his “Recommends” show. It also picked up lots of airplay and excellent reviews around the world. Matthew’s classical piano training has an influence on his work. In addition to Phonseca, he has composed Library Music where his work has been synched on primetime TV like BBC1’s – The One Show, Channel 5 programs and National TV in most of Europe. This was the catalyst for first writing with Kristina, initially working on songs for a Disney project which followed a chance meeting at a wedding fayre, where they had stalls directly opposite each other. Since its release, the pair have spent the past few years promoting the debut album while writing/recording the second “Everything Lasts Forever”, which is now ready for release via Old Bad Habits Label.
The first taster of the new album is heartfelt, pulsating, all-out pop single “Staring At The Sea”. The track is a declaration of love and wasting no time with a sense of urgency. The track’s wide-eyed cinematic pop sentiments feel immediately familiar as Matthew’s 80s style drum machines and synth moods combine with Kristina’s soaring vocals for epic effect. The lyrics of the song follow the very relatable theme of ultimately two friends falling for each other and Kristina switches to Swedish language in the middle section which adds an intriguing touch. In its original form this was one of the first songs Phonseca ever wrote together in their “Disney Sessions”.
“I was asked by a Library Music company to write some positive upbeat songs for a Disney video, sadly it wasn’t accepted, but thankfully we kept it, sat on it for a while and tweaked it to become one of our best pop songs so far and an obvious single”, explains Matthew. “We acknowledge the genius of Prefrab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon in the opening lyric who I’m a big fan of. It’s also one of the songs that shows off Kristina’s vocals. I also wanted the talking bit to be in Swedish, to give the track an otherworldly feel”, he further adds.
We Speak Entertainment
Aro Rose Releases Emotional New Single “Live Without You” — Now Available Worldwide

Genre-blending singer/songwriter Aro Rose has officially dropped her highly anticipated new single, “Live Without You,” and it’s now streaming everywhere music lives.
A hauntingly honest track about love, loss, and letting go, “Live Without You” showcases Aro’s signature dark pop aesthetic—think cinematic piano lines, ghostly synths, and lyrics that hit where it hurts. It’s raw. It’s vulnerable. It’s that 3AM track you cry to…and then play again.
“I wrote this one straight from my gut,” Aro says. “It’s about that moment when you realize you’ve outgrown someone you thought you couldn’t live without. There’s sadness in it—but also strength.”

Self-taught and self-made, Aro Rose first turned heads with her distinctive sound that sits somewhere between Lana Del Rey’s noir romanticism and Fiona Apple’s emotional honesty. Since stepping away from the major label system, she’s carved out a fiercely independent path—and “Live Without You” is her boldest, most personal release to date.
The single is produced by longtime collaborators Gabriel Maciocia and Robert Federici, who help bring Aro’s dark visions to life with lush, atmospheric production that lets her voice shine through the shadows.
“Live Without You” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, and all major streaming platforms.
Follow Aro Rose:
Instagram.com/aro__rose
TikTok: @aro__rose
YouTube: Aro Rose
Stream “Live Without You” by Aro Rose here:
-
We Speak Soccer1 week ago
From Small Steps to Big Goals: How Alianna-Reyne Basa Became a Fearless Striker with a Champion’s Heart
-
We Speak Music3 days ago
TIHANE dances with a Python in video for wildly alive new single ‘Throw It Back’
-
We Speak Coaches2 days ago
Building Champions On and Off the Court: The Heart and Dedication of a True Basketball Mentor
-
We Speak Volleyball1 week ago
Eyes on the Ball, Heart in the Game: Ryan Jomo’s Volleyball Journey as a Libero Who Refused to Settle for Less