Five-time Grammy-considered artist Stephen Thomas expands his boundary-pushing “Universal” sound with the release of “Strange Love,” a bold new single that lays bare the bittersweet realities of today’s hookup culture. Marking the latest preview from his forthcoming EP The Universal Me, the track fuses pop with alternative R&B and dance influences to capture the messy in-between spaces of fleeting connections, blurred boundaries, and half-hearted commitments.
With echoes of Ed Sheeran’s lyrical honesty, Zedd’s rhythmic punch, and the vocal agility of Justin Bieber and Chris Brown, “Strange Love” delivers sharp storytelling atop a soaring, radio-ready hook. “This song carries a universal sound and a raw, emotional delivery,” Thomas explains. “It explores how we sometimes use others to move on from an ex, even when we’re not truly ready. But in the process of making what feels like a mistake, we sometimes find something real.”
From its opening lines to the haunting refrain “No risk, no sacrifice,” the single challenges listeners to examine how they navigate intimacy in a world where emotional availability is optional and genuine connection can feel disposable. “Love isn’t something you can construct with logic,” Thomas adds. “It’s strange, dangerous, and an emotional roller-coaster where the unexpected can happen at any moment. Yet in its chaos, love can also be incredibly beautiful.”
A Rapid Ascent Fueled by Fearless Storytelling
Recently named an “Artist to Watch in 2025” by The Source, Thomas is no stranger to reinvention. Born in Charleston, West Virginia, he first broke through with the uplifting anthem “Stay Strong,” a tribute to military personnel, autoimmune warriors, and those facing mental-health challenges. He later stunned rock audiences when his debut alternative single “Back Home” cracked the Top 60 on the Active Rock Radio chart, earned a viral moment on TikTok (500 000 views in 24 hours), and saw its video premiere on MTV.
His follow-up track “Breaking Hearts” cemented his pivot into rock, drawing comparisons to genre-spanning talents such as MGK, Jelly Roll, Carrie Underwood, and Shaboozey. Across pop, rock, and R&B, Thomas remains guided by one principle: stay true to yourself. It is the advice he credits for five Grammy considerations, a No. 2 iTunes chart position for “Best Days,” and red-carpet appearances at the BET Live Experience.
The Universal Genre: Music without Borders
Stephen Thomas coined the term “Universal” to describe his ever-evolving sonic palette, a fluid blend of pop, rock, dance, and R&B designed to meet listeners wherever they are. “Strange Love” exemplifies this ethos, weaving polished production with naked vulnerability to reflect the emotional disillusionment of swipe-right relationships and situationships that never crystallize.
The single also serves as a thematic bridge to The Universal Me, an EP that promises further genre-defying surprises while showcasing Thomas’s gift for turning personal reflection into collective catharsis.
A Growing Legacy of Impact and Recognition
From a 2013 signing with SkeeloMusik/Sony RED to his current home at Creative Hearts Entertainment, Thomas has built a résumé that includes national tours, extensive editorial playlisting on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Tidal, and major press looks in MTV, Vibe, Swagger, Hype Magazine, Earmilk, V13, and The Source. Yet a decade into his career, he remains focused on authenticity and the power of storytelling to inspire the next generation of artists.
“Strange Love” – Available Everywhere Now
“Strange Love” is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and all major digital platforms. It joins a growing catalog that includes “Breaking Hearts,” “Back Home,” and “Stay Strong,” each reflecting a different facet of Thomas’s Universal vision.
For more info, visit: https://www.stephentmusic.com/.
Stream Strange Love at https://symphony.to/stephen-thomas/strange-love.
Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O47jhGfNefE.
For videos, exclusive content, and tour updates, audiences can connect with Stephen Thomas on:
Instagram: @stephentmusic
Facebook: @StephenTMusic
TikTok: @stephentmusic
YouTube: @StephenThomas1
X (formerly Twitter): @stephentmusic