In an industry often obsessed with the surface, Stephan Leroy Folkes is reaching for something far deeper.
Fresh off the acclaim of his debut single, Say It Like You Mean It, the East London native returns, not just with a new release, but with a renewed call for introspection. His latest track, It’s All Within Time (Travelling Through the Stars), isn’t a product of trend-chasing or algorithmic appeal. It’s an invitation. One that asks listeners to pause, reflect, and engage with the parts of themselves they may have forgotten, avoided, or never fully explored.
"Mainstream music doesn't often cover these deep, introspective questions," Stephan explains. "The industry wants to tell you what to like, what to follow. But I want people to ask themselves, 'How did I handle that situation? What can I do better next time?' Music should be a space for self-reflection, and that’s what I aim to create."
That statement alone sets him apart. While much of the commercial landscape leans toward escapism or spectacle, Stephan’s focus is inward-facing. He’s more interested in how people grow through adversity than in chasing radio-friendly platitudes. And it’s not just rhetoric, it’s lived experience.
His path hasn’t been without challenge. A serious illness at the age of five and a near-drowning in his pre-teens might have silenced a different kind of person. But for Stephan, these defining moments built the foundation for his artistic voice, one that is steeped in resilience, curiosity and emotional clarity.
These themes; time, transformation and truth, are ever present in his work. But more than anything, Stephan stands as a reminder that art can still be sincere. That there’s value in asking the hard questions. That not everything has to be polished for the feed or flattened for mass consumption.
Critics have already begun to take notice, but it’s not the praise that drives him, it’s the connection. The idea that someone, somewhere might hear his words and feel a little less alone.
As he looks toward future performances across the UK and the development of his next album, Stephan Leroy Folkes isn’t chasing visibility, he’s cultivating meaning. Quietly and powerfully, he is carving out a new kind of space in music. One where vulnerability is welcomed, individuality is non-negotiable, and reflection isn’t just encouraged, it’s necessary.
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