The notes from the Rickenbacker guitar resonate, the melody like an unreleased anthem from Roy Orbison or The Everly Brothers. The singer’s voice immerses us in nostalgia, conjuring images of a bygone era. This is the feeling many experience when listening to “Until I Found You,” a track that has exploded thanks to TikTok, racking up nearly 2 billion streams on Spotify. And it’s quite a surprise to discover that the artist behind this hit is a young talent.
The Dreamy Musician Amidst Romantic Dreams
Stephen Sanchez began his music career at the age of 19, and by the time he turned 21, he had created his first life-defining HIT. “Until I Found You” is not a work of a 1950s legend, but a product of Sanchez’s own creativity, crafted after he “accidentally” bought an expensive guitar and amplifier. Determined not to waste his investment, he locked himself in his room and composed the song in just 15 minutes.
His music has stirred the TikTok platform, quickly propelling Sanchez into the Grammy world, where Elton John encouraged him to sing his own songs instead of John’s hits. They then performed “Until I Found You” together.
A young man in his twenties, living 70 to 80 years away from the romantic world of the “crooners,” yet skillfully recreates the dreamy atmosphere of that era.
The Love Story in “Angel Face”
His next album, “Angel Face,” weaves a tragic love story between a singer and the blonde lover of a gang leader, reminiscent of classic Hollywood romantic films. Each of the 13 songs carries the essence of a time when love was precious—something worth living and sacrificing for.
Stephen Sanchez’s sweet voice has the power to soften even the hardest hearts. Especially in “Be More,” when he hits the soaring notes in the chorus, one cannot help but recall the unforgettable moments of Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. Sanchez seems to reach for a magical world of love, a realm that mere mortals can never touch.
From “High” to “Shake,” he confidently invokes Elvis’s hip shakes and cleverly recalls the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll from “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog.” With every note, it feels as though we are reliving a bygone era.
Awakening Genuine Emotions
In an interview, Sanchez once shared, “Telling someone you would bring down the Moon for them has become a lost art.” Indeed, nowadays, people rarely express love as passionately as before. Even if they suffer for love, they hesitate to admit it for fear of appearing weak.
Sanchez’s music serves as a healing balm for those struggling with love. When listening to the final lines of “Angel Face,” where he whispers, “Please send a kiss to my heart,” one cannot help but return the sentiment with heartfelt “kisses” as a thank you for allowing us—those who have experienced love, whether through pain or bliss—to feel and appreciate the beauty of love.
