Rising R&B artist Tamara S has officially released her highly anticipated debut album, Where Are The Butterflies?. The project seamlessly blends smooth R&B grooves with hip hop rhythms and the soulful introspection of neo soul, delivering an organic body of work that reflects personal evolution while touching on broader global themes.
Drawing inspiration from her everyday surroundings and the wider world, Tamara S channels the vibrancy of summer into a collection that feels alive. The writing process unfolded over an extended period, yet once an idea took hold for each song, the lyrics flowed swiftly. Collaborating with producer Oliver, who favours real instruments like guitar, the album began with simple chord progressions and evolved through layers of instrumentation. This approach delivers a predominantly organic sound, though select tracks incorporate electronic elements to add modern flair.
At its core, Where Are The Butterflies? is deeply autobiographical, chronicling Tamara S‘s journey towards self-honesty in daily life and art. The opening track, True to Me, emerged early in the process and set the tone with its emotion, guiding the album’s direction. Recurring themes of positivity, healing, and closure weave throughout, offering a space for inner thoughts to flourish and personal struggles to find resolution. The project also serves as a call to action for positive change, with tracks like I Don’t Like It addressing the devastating impacts of pollution and the cruelty of animal captivity, issues close to the artist’s heart, presented with reverence to spark awareness.
Tamara S presents a beautifully assured body of work that radiates maturity, sensitivity, and artistic control, immediately setting her apart as a voice of substance. Each moment feels carefully shaped yet effortlessly delivered, guided by vocals that glide with warmth, restraint, and quiet conviction. The songs unfold like personal conversations, rich in feeling and intention, inviting listeners into spaces of reflection, release, and renewal without ever feeling heavy handed. There is an undeniable sense of purpose in the way emotion, melody, and atmosphere intertwine, creating an experience that lingers long after the final note fades. As a debut statement, this release feels fearless and fully realized, revealing an artist who understands her craft deeply and is poised to leave a meaningful mark through sincerity, depth, and timeless expression.
Recorded over approximately two years, the album underwent numerous evolutions, allowing Tamara S and her team to refine it until they felt fully confident in sharing it. This deliberate pace ensured a comfortable, assured final product ready to connect with listeners.
Tamara S is a rising R&B artist whose soulful sound blends the warmth of neo-soul with the edge of contemporary hip-hop. Born and raised in Leeds, Tamara’s musical journey began early, she was singing as a child and writing her first songs by the age of eight. By sixteen, she was already recording music seriously, laying the foundation for an artistic voice that is both heartfelt and self-assured. Her music often features themes of self-discovery and spirituality. Her songwriting explores her emotional experiences in a unique and profound way. Her debut single Queen of the North dropped in 2018, marking the beginning of a steadily growing career defined by authenticity and ambition. Since then, Tamara has continued to evolve her sound, drawing inspiration from artists like Jhené Aiko, Chronixx, Elmiene, and Kehlani.
Her recent releases, What We Gon’ Do, Fast Life, and Very Special, have collectively garnered over 400,000 Spotify streams, showcasing her ability to connect deeply with listeners through smooth vocals, vulnerable storytelling, and modern production. On stage, Tamara brings her music to life with a magnetic presence. She has shared stages with acts including Donae’o and KeiyA. Tamara has performed at notable venues such as Belgrave Music Hall, Headrow House, Hyde Park Book Club and Brudenell Social Club, as well as performing at Leeds West Indian Carnival and Sound City Festival in Liverpool. Her performance credits also include the Leeds United New Year’s Eve party, where she captivated audiences with her soulful delivery and effortless control.
Tamara’s artistry has caught the attention of national platforms, earning airplay on BBC Introducing and BBC 1Xtra. She has been supported by Music:Leeds and Rip It Up, additionally receiving funding for her artistry from the Launchpad organisation through PPL, where she received mentorship from Simon Rix of Kaiser Chiefs. In 2023, she teamed up with Leeds-based label Come Play With Me to release Would You?, a standout single that was featured on The Independent’s curated playlist. With her genre-blending sound and growing acclaim, Tamara S is carving out a powerful space in the UK’s R&B and soul scene, one that’s rooted in emotion, empowerment, and a genuine love for music.
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