Debut album from Tamara S

Tamara S is a Leeds-born R&B artist who makes music that feels like both an emotional outlet and a celebration, flowing between neo soul warmth and the energy of contemporary hip hop. Her songs are full of spirit and strength, while her delivery brings a distinct aesthetic that’s entirely her own, resulting in a well-received musical output that’s struck a chord with listeners across the UK and beyond.

Music has been stitched into Tamara’s life since childhood; singing came first, songwriting soon after, her first lyrics penned before she’d turned eight. By sixteen, she was already recording seriously, shaping a voice that fused soul and reflection which led to her debut single “Queen of the North” in 2018, a first step that signalled the first official chapter in her musical story. Her sound has continued to flourish since, influenced by the likes of Jhené Aiko, Chronixx, Elmiene and Kehlani, artists who, like her, find beauty in emotional transparency and spiritual context.

Across a string of singles including “What We Gon’ Do,” “Fast Life” and “Very Special,” Tamara has built a catalogue that’s at once personal and widely relatable while clocking hundreds of thousands of spins online. On stage, she transforms her studio sound into magnetism, performing at Belgrave Music Hall, Headrow House, Hyde Park Book Club, Brudenell Social Club and Leeds West Indian Carnival, as well as Sound City Festival and even Leeds United’s New Year’s Eve celebration.

Her rise has seen her championed by BBC Introducing and BBC 1Xtra, supported by Music:Leeds and Rip It Up and funded through the Launchpad programme via PPL, where she was mentored by Simon Rix of Kaiser Chiefs. In 2023, she linked up with Leeds-based label Come Play With Me for the release of “Would You?,” a single that landed on The Independent’s curated playlist, further confirming her status as one of the North’s most promising R&B voices.

Now, Tamara S opens up her next chapter with the release of her debut album titled Where Are The Butterflies?, launched with a successful show at Hyde Park Book Club. The ten-track record brings together the smooth grooves of R&B, the rhythmic edge of hip-hop and the contemplative songwriting of neo soul, brought to life in collaboration with producer Oliver Rees. Crafted over the last two years, Where Are The Butterflies? is autobiographical, documenting Tamara’s journey toward self-honesty via an exploration of how healing and growth emerge through acceptance rather than avoidance.

The opening track, “True to Me,” became the album’s emotional bedrock, setting a tone of sincerity that ripples throughout the release. With the breezy flow of clean guitar rhythms and intricate wah-tinged leads forming a slick backdrop, Tamara’s soulful voice floats above to cast a spellbinding soundscape propelled by the crisp rattle of electronic percussion. “Little Things” rolls with fluttering vocalisations as mellow guitar tones and pulsing bass grooves set up a grooving jam cut with memorable melodic writing and mesmeric vocal performance.

“Butterfly” pairs bouncy beats with silky vocals to craft a stunning slice of Tamara’s utterly charming musical world while tracks like “Don’t Care About You” see her lean into into emotive side, offering a moving outing of laid back shuffling drums and affecting vocal work. “I Don’t Like It” widen the lens, confronting environmental destruction and animal cruelty with reverence and emphatic artistic conviction.

Closing track “Sands of Time” presents a tender conclusion where overlapping layers of Tamara’s dazzling vocals sweep above softly plucked guitar backing to create a soothing finale to her sensational debut album. From start to finish, Where Are The Butterflies? captures an artist in full bloom, confident in her sound and purpose, resulting in a soulful, forward-looking statement from an artist who’s only just getting started.

Listen to Where Are The Butterflies? below