“Under The Stars” - Sophia Bolinder (feat. John Soul)
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
Sophia Bolinder is serving up sultry vibes, soul-drenched vocals, and full-on 90s/early 00s R&B fantasy with her newest single “Under The Stars,” featuring the velvet-smooth voice of John Soul. If you’ve ever slow-danced in your room to Toni Braxton, or dramatically stared out the window to Usher’s Confessions, this one’s for you.
Dropped on May 16th, 2025, “Under The Stars” is Sophia and John Soul’s second duet — and let’s be real, these two have chemistry that oozes through every verse. Recorded in the peaceful coastal town of Falkenberg, Sweden (but sounding like it was born in a New York City candle-lit penthouse), this track is a slow-burn R&B gem built on late-night vibes, whispered promises, and that timeless “us against the world” kind of romance.
Let’s talk sound. The track opens with a chef’s kiss soft and sexy intro — the kind that immediately makes you want to dim the lights and sink into the moment. There’s this delicate “stardust” effect that flutters through the opening like a sparkler lighting up the night, giving you chills before a single lyric even lands. It’s moody, it’s intimate, it’s cinematic. And then John Soul’s voice hits — smooth as silk, laid-back but rich with intention — and the story begins.
He sets the tone: love that’s weathered time, distance, and uncertainty. You know the kind — where you know someone’s the one, no matter what life throws your way. Then, just as you’re swooning, Sophia slides in with her verse, and it’s a whole moment. Her vocals are buttery, confident, and wrapped in that unmistakable Swedish elegance, but make no mistake — this is pure American R&B in spirit. It’s like Aaliyah and D’Angelo sat down to write a duet in 2025.
It’s not just trading verses — it’s a conversation, a love letter passed back and forth in melody. There’s longing, there’s warmth, there’s that electric tension that builds and finally releases in the chorus. You can practically see them gazing at each other under a sky full of stars — hence the title, obviously — and if you're not immediately thinking of someone (or wishing you had someone) to slow dance with, check your pulse.
What sets this release apart is how lovingly it's crafted. Every decision — from the stardust intro/outro to the back-and-forth narrative — feels deliberate. It’s a modern track with a deep reverence for the classics. You can hear the influence of Toni Braxton and Usher woven into the DNA of this song, but Sophia and John bring their own flavor to it — it’s not imitation, it’s elevation.
As Sophia puts it, “We wanted to bring back memories of those late 90s and early 00s R&B hits. We wanted a story where the male lead starts and the female voice responds in the second verse.” And you can tell. This isn’t just a track, it’s a moment. The second successful collaboration between the two artists proves that lightning really can strike twice — and in this case, it’s slow-dancing barefoot under moonlight.
If you’re curating playlists for romantic nights, slow jams, chill R&B vibes, or simply want a track that feels like falling in love, “Under The Stars” belongs on repeat. Sophia Bolinder and John Soul have done something special here. It’s classic, it’s modern, it’s dreamy — and it reminds us that R&B is alive and thriving, especially under Swedish skies.
“Under The Stars” is available now on all major streaming platforms
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