Stella Sezon, a singer with a charming voice and composer, continues to expand the boundaries of contemporary Ukrainian music and presents a new single “Sniff the cat”, which not only invites to dance to, but also encourages introspection on the nature of mental health challenges and addictions.
The single “Sniff the cat” holds a unique origin story and is a part of the artist’s personal and creative life episode: “The song emerged in one of the most trying periods of my life, when I lost my voice, and nodules had formed on my vocal cords that threatened my ability to sing. As someone for whom singing is as vital as breathing, I found myself in a profound state of distress; it seemed that even my soul was hurting,” says the author.
The track is called “Sniff the cat”, and we’re sure you’ll never find a song with such an unconventional title, that did not arise on a whim of the author or even a way to attract attention: “The song delves into themes of a person with an anxiety disorder, depression, and about coping mechanisms. I do not use the word “drugs”, I prefer the image of a cat that you want to smell, which allows you to distract from problems, calm down and enjoy life for a moment,” explained Stella Sezon.
We all know cat lovers who not only pet their furry friends, but also smell them for pleasure. This habit also often transforms into a kind of addiction. Cats become not only pets, but also a means of coping with loneliness, depression, anxiety and other mental problems.
The future hit “Sniff the cat” was not meant to be performed by the author and was written for sale. “This song was created by accident. That day we had a party with friends. During the party, I remembered that I had to submit the track for sale tomorrow. So we moved to our studio and quickly created and recorded the first version of the song together. We kept this atmosphere of celebration and escape in difficult times in a single version,” the singer explained.
Having listened to the track, the authors realized that it was a real hit and they would never share it with other artists and began to prepare the single for release.
Accompanied by a cheerful groove, Stella Sezon candidly explores themes of escapism, existential dread, and the pursuit of joy. A cat can distract you from all these complexities, and its company and smell can help you put it all on the top shelf until better times.
More than simply a commentary on anxiety, “Sniff the Cat” celebrates life’s richness and the myriad experiences it offers, and we actually have access to a buffet where we can enjoy everything. However, our anxieties and fears almost always spoil our zest for life.
At its core, the song advocates against enduring loneliness in silence. We are not alone to face our problems and troubles, we can support each other through our own set of concepts, beliefs, innovations, technologies and systems.
Infused with lively guitar riffs and infectious beats, “Sniff the Cat” evokes a spirited Latin vibe. We can also hear a mystical reggaeton with a depressive mood in the English lyrics, which changes back to a fiesta when we meet the miracle cat.
The third verse of the song is based on the main salsa piano part with wind instruments that enhance the Latin, sunny mood. However, the beat and rap in Ukrainian create a rocking hip-hop beat.
You can experience the power of the cat by following this link: Sniff the Cat by stella sezon – DistroKid
