We Speak Music

SJ Hill drops haunting new single ‘Spell On Me’

Published

10 months ago

January 23, 2026

Don Reed

“An incredible soul singer”- Anne-Marie.

Welsh soul sensation SJ Hill returns with his most emotional and dramatic release yet — ‘Spell On Me,’ a song about a love so powerful it lifts you, destroys you, and pulls you deeper even when you know you should walk away.

Following the viral success of his previous single ‘Tonight’ (1.4 million Instagram views, 40K+ streams), SJ Hill cements his place as one of Wales’ most compelling emerging voices, delivering a track rich in vulnerability, passion, and cinematic soul.

SJ Hill’s voice has taken him from local stages to global attention. His music has been featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist, BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Radio Wales A-List and he’s performed at some of the UK’s top venues, including Wembley Arena and the O2 Academy London. Not afraid to push for mainstream attention, the Cardiff born singer got through to the X-Factor bootcamp in 2017 and has since gone on to win an episode of ITV’s ‘Romeo & Duet’, as well as reaching the semi-finals of LLIAS- The Welsh Voice. Such achievements led to him entertaining guests such as John Legend, Chrissy Teigan and Chris Martin at this year’s prestigious New Years Eve party at Soneva Jani Resort in the Maldives.

“‘Spell On Me’ is a song that I hope a lot of people can relate to”, says SJ Hill. “It’s about the type of relationship when you know someone is bad for you, but you keep coming back because they lift you up and break you down in equal measure”, he further explains.

Co-written with his long-time friend and collaborator Tommy John, the track is about the kind of love that pulls you in and tears you apart at the same time — a Jekyll & Hyde relationship where someone can be your pleasure and your pain, your thunder and your calm, your truth and your lie. The lyrics dive into emotional duality, addiction to chaos, and the feeling of being under someone’s spell.

Honest, dramatic, and personal, ‘Spell On Me’ explores emotional dependency, blurred boundaries, and the kind of connection that transforms you — for better and worse. Blending raw, confessional lyricism with melodic, hypnotic hooks and with powerhouse soul vocals that cut straight to the heart, fans of Hozier, Rag’n’Bone Man, Lewis Capaldi, Dermot Kennedy, The Weeknd and Sam Smith will find the same emotional depth and vocal fire in ‘Spell On Me’.

Keeping firmly in tune with his roots, SJ Hill created ‘Spell On Me’ in a special place — a small, old-school studio in the Rhondda Valley, once a Salvation Army building and now transformed into a creative hub for Welsh talent. The studio, owned and run by Daniel Edwards, has become a place where authenticity and artistry meet. Working alongside Daniel and Tommy John, ‘Spell On Me’ feels deeply tied to Welsh identity and emotional truth, with the heart of SJ Hill’s local community running within.

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We Speak Music

Pauline Frechette Releases “The Wonder of Stars” Featuring Legendary Bassist Stanley Clarke

Published

23 hours ago

November 7, 2026

Olivia Long

Billboard-charting composer, pianist, and vocalist Pauline Frechette releases her new single, “The Wonder of Stars,” featuring legendary bassist Stanley Clarke. Taken from her latest album, At the Edge of Everything, the song is a personal reflection on the beauty of the universe, the search for direction, and the quiet strength that comes from looking beyond everyday worries.

Living in Ojai, California, surrounded by mountains and natural beauty, Pauline finds inspiration in one of her favorite nighttime activities: stargazing with her husband. For her, looking up at the stars is more than simply admiring the night sky. It is a way to find peace, regain perspective, and reconnect with her sense of purpose.

“When I am tired or anxious about something, star gazing relaxes me. I feel strong and sure of the path I must follow,” Pauline explains. Inspired by the explorers who once relied on the stars for courage and direction, she sees the night sky as a reminder that there is always a way forward, even when life presents obstacles.

That feeling became the foundation for “The Wonder of Stars.” Pauline began composing the music while singing, allowing the lyrics to emerge naturally from the emotions and story already expressed through the melody. She considers the song one of her finest compositions.

Featuring the unmistakable musicianship of Stanley Clarke, “The Wonder of Stars” brings together Pauline’s distinctive approach to composition and performance with the artistry of one of music’s most celebrated bassists.

Pauline Frechette has built an impressive career as a composer, pianist, and vocalist. Her compositions have been performed by renowned orchestras, including the Baltimore Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, and National Symphony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Her work has also been presented at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Beyond the concert stage, Pauline has contributed her voice to major film scores and performed alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Paul McCartney, Beck, Cher, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Muse, and Leonard Cohen.

Her current album, At the Edge of Everything, features Stanley Clarke and showcases her ability to move naturally between jazz, neo-classical instrumentals, and expressive vocal compositions. Her music has accumulated more than 30 million streams worldwide.

Through her music and performances, Pauline brings together technical excellence, emotional honesty, and a deep sense of vulnerability. With “The Wonder of Stars,” she offers listeners a reminder to pause, look beyond their immediate surroundings, and find inspiration in the world above them.