But really…why DO you think you’re such a keeper?

After over a year of reimagine, recreating, and remaking, Martina’s second EP is here.

The “Keeper” era began with the lead single, “Not With Me” which was, of course, accompanied by the official music video (directed by Nick Shadfazlollahi).

Headlining her new era, Martina was bold choosing “Not With Me” as the lead single. With 2000s hip-hop, R&B and pop influences, “Not With Me” brings a lively and sexy club energy that had not yet been discovered by Stokes until now. The official music video delves into Martina’s strong confidence with tight choreography, created by Micaela Edwards and Giovanna Andreotti.

“Not With Me” follows the intro track on the EP, titled “I Hope You Find Somebody (Intro).” This track samples “Angel” by the Weeknd with production by Stokes and Aidan Parker. Angelic harmonies and layers invite the listener to tune into the EP with their guards down and emotions high.

After the introduction and the lead single, the titled track “Keeper” comes next, and oh boy does it come with a bang. Once again playing off of the influences of the 2000s pop culture scene, “Keeper” is sassy, confrontational, and just GOOD. It plays on the idea of being in a toxic situation where Stokes’ is playing games - and the rest we will leave to the listener to interpret!

The next song is “S.Y.M.”, which keeps the energy of the previous track flowing as we hit the fourth number in the EP. The production both vocally and instrumentally feels more playful and light, which is intentional as Martina is meeting her emotions of the situation at hand with more humour than anything at this point in the project.

The second to last song is titled “Lose My Breath”, and this is where the project hits a turning point. Through travelling the journey with Stokes of appreciation, frustration, and humour around a situation, “Lose My Breath” suggests a turn in events where two things can exist mutually. This song prepares us to prime our emotions for something different as we turn into the outro track.

“Chappy’s Ballad” is what Martina claims “…is one of the most vulnerable and emotional tracks I have written and sang. I don’t think it’s obvious what the message is at first, because it isn’t really following the “rules” that the other tracks have sort of put in place on the EP. It’s almost hard for me to listen to sometimes, knowing what it is actually about. It’s probably one of the songs that I’m seriously the most proud of.”

And this is where we leave the rest to you.

Credits

Mixing Engineer - Aidan Parker

Mastering Engineer - Demitrius Lewis

Production - Denz, Eli2X, Aidan Parker, Martina Stokes, YoEmmett

Photography - Tatum Maclean

CGI - Timotheos Claeys

Director - Nick Shahfazlollahi

Choreography - Micaela Edwards, Giovanna Andreotti

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"I Don't Get Lonely"