Written by Imani Wj Wright
I knew I was in the presence of a real artist just minutes into our conversation. Erilei stood outside—sunlight catching the details of her own distinct fashion, a look that felt less like a choice and more like a natural extension of who she is. There was a visible fire in her eyes, a joy to speak, and a raw hunger to share her truth. And after a 10 year hiatus from music, it was immediately clear— Erilei hadn’t missed a beat. Not creatively, not energetically, and certainly not vocally.
Listening to her EP, Gentle Scars, I wasn’t just hearing music. I was experiencing storytelling, emotional risk, and vocal confidence in a way that felt rare, in a climate that at times favors perfection over passion. Erilei has found her lane, and she’s not swerving. Her voice is no gimmick. Her pen isn’t predictable. She’s not trying to fit into an industry box, and she’s not pretending to be above the game either. She’s in it. Authentically.
Often, when you encounter emerging or re-emerging artists, they lean to one of two extremes: doing too much, or not enough. There’s either the over-polished attempt at virality, or the hesitant offering that says, “Please like me.” Erilei walks the middle path, aware, self-assured, and willing to let the music speak.
But make no mistake, this isn’t a fluke. Her depth is rooted in discipline. “I did opera… The best part about it was, I had a super strict teacher,” she shared with a laugh. That experience didn’t just shape her sound; it shaped her ethos. She approaches music with the precision of someone who’s studied the terrain. “I was classically trained,” she said. “Classical vs. Pop vs. Theatre, they’re all different. They require different parts of your voice, or not using your throat at all. I’m learning those things still with my vocal coach. I want to keep improving.”
That dedication shows. Even in her most vulnerable moments, there’s strength. Her latest single, F.U.C.K. Valentine’s Day, is one of those records that meets you where you are, especially if where you are is somewhere between heartbreak and healing. The song dissects emotional exhaustion, defiance, and the courage to say “no more.” It’s honest, a bit bruised, but never broken. “If it’s love, then you can keep it,” she sings. It’s the kind of lyric that sounds simple- until you’ve lived it.
There’s something special about artists who take their time, who come back not chasing a trend but honoring a truth. Erilei is one of those artists. She’s not just making music again. She’s crafting art from her scars, shaping sound from her silence, and doing it all with intention.
And if Gentle Scars is any indication of what’s to come, it’s not just a comeback, it’s a continuation.
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