ANGEL FACE
by STEPHEN SANCHEZ

Stephen Sanchez released his debut album, Angel Face, via Mercury Records/Republic Records on 22 September 2023.

The Nashville-based singer-songwriter's 13-track album is filled to the brim with '50s and '60s-inspired love songs, including RIAA 3 x Platinum Certified hit, Until I Found You. The song found famous fans including Sir Elton John who invited him on stage to perform the track during his last-ever headlining show at Glastonbury in summer 2023, praising the 20-year-old’s song-writing prowess. 

Stephen Sanchez's appearance alongside Elton at Glastonbury sent Until I Found You soaring into the Official Singles Chart Top 20, giving the singer his highest-charting single in the UK at that point. It went on to be announced by Official Charts as one of the UK's Top 40 biggest songs of 2023, finishing at Number 39 in the year-end list.

The Angel Face album recounts the life of the fictional Stephen Sanchez — a.k.a. “The Troubadour Sanchez”— who finds fame based on his 1958 hit Until I Found You, shortly followed by a tumultuous romance with his newfound love Evangeline, with the album ending after his untimely murder in 1964. Almost 60 years later, The Troubadour’s unreleased debut album, Angel Face, has been "uncovered" and was finally being released posthumously.

Despite its old-school origins, the album boasts top-tier production from Ian Fitchuk (Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges) and Konrad Snyder (Noah Kahan, Rainbow Kitten Surprise). Album track No One Knows was produced by Ben Schneider (lead singer of Lord Huron) and features singer songwriter Laufey.

On his inspiration for Angel Face, Stephen explains in a press release, “This record, for me, is the antithesis of love’s entire humanity. It is here to empower those drawn to the cosmic signs that put two souls in the same place at the right moment. The hope is to evoke memories and be a soundtrack for new ones, that these songs might allow strangers to be caught in a feeling long enough for love to grow.”

Ahead of the album, Stephen introduced us to the world of The Troubadour Sanchez through his breakout single “Until I Found You,” along with tracks Evangeline, Only Girl, and Be More. Centred around his whirlwind romance with Evangeline, these songs highlight the pair’s passionate relationship. 

Angel Face placed inside the Official Albums Chart Top 75 in its opening week at Number 64, as well as reaching the Top 20 of the Official Vinyl Albums Chart (Number 14).