NESTA drops début EP

Fast-emerging reggae-R&B artiste NESTA celebrates the power of connection through music with his debut EP ' Your Love Alone', which brings a contemporary spin on lovers' rock.

"I've always had love for United Kingdom lovers' rock and me being a Jamaican, born in New York, I wanted to put a modern type of R&B twist on it that resonates with the people of this day and age, without it losing its identity in order to bridge the age gap so we all can vibe," NESTA told THE STAR.

Your Love Alone, a five-track compilation, explores various themes such as love exploration, legacy and evolution.

"[It] is about coming into realisation of how much one's love can heal you, comfort you, make you self-reflect and become a better version of yourself through being in love," said NESTA.

His previous single, Worthwhile, that introduced listeners to NESTA's signature blend of intimacy and intention, has channelled good traction and several positive reactions with persons expressing confidence in the future of reggae. NESTA has now followed up with a sound that feels grounded in heritage, yet expansive in reach.

"I'm receiving so much love from all over the world from both lovers of R&B and reggae music. It's resonating with both the younger and older generations [and] it feels so good to know that the project is doing what I intended for it to do and so much more," he said.

He admitted that even though music was always his obsession, he never thought he would be an artiste.

"I was always too shy and more introverted so I thought I just wanted to be a producer. I feel it was my love and my family's love, especially my mother and father's love for music that inspired me and gave me the strength to build the confidence to pursue and work towards a career as an artiste," he said. He also highlighted musical stars Sizzla, Culture, Barrington Levy, Peter Hunnigale, Gyptian and Ty Dolla $ign as a few of the influential figures who've impacted his sound and musical choices.

With the heavy-hitting dancehall sound and trap-dancehall music mainly dominating the local music scene, NESTA was asked if he believes that lovers' rock still has its place and the heart of the people locally.

"I feel it is a timeless music that'll continue to evolve like every other genre does. It just has to find people that are willing to keep it alive and help it progress," he opined.

"To me, as long as the music is made from the heart and from one's real love for music, it doesn't matter where the market is heading, it'll cut right through all the noise," he added.