Singer, songwriter and producer CASANDRA reveals her new single, “WANT VS NEED,” the final release ahead of her forthcoming EP ISLA TRANQUILITA, out May 15.
Set against atmospheric production, CASANDRA’s haunting, ethereal vocals explore the tension between desire and conditioning. The track unpacks how early expectations can shape and quiet our instincts, often lingering well into adulthood. With “WANT VS NEED,” CASANDRA moves toward reclaiming her inner voice and embracing the idea that intuition holds its own truth and wisdom.
Her upcoming EP ISLA TRANQUILITA—Spanish for “little island of peace”—is a deeply personal project dedicated to her late great aunt Teresa, a Cuban émigré who was a central source of comfort throughout her childhood in Miami. Whenever CASANDRA felt overwhelmed, her aunt would gently say “tranquilita,” encouraging her to take a beat and calm down.
Created during a physically and emotionally challenging period marked by ongoing health issues, the project became an unexpected source of healing. Through her collaboration with producer Jaye Locke, CASANDRA found a safe and supportive creative environment, allowing the music to unfold organically. In many ways, ISLA TRANQUILITA stands as both a tribute and a quiet offering of solace and serenity.
Having released music consistently since her teenage years, CASANDRA has spent nearly a decade forging an artistic path defined by independence, emotional depth, and fearless self-expression. Her music has grown alongside her listeners, many of whom have followed her through multiple chapters of her life and artistry. With ISLA TRANQUILITA, she enters a new era—one that feels like both a personal victory and a creative arrival. The EP captures the clearest expression of who she is today, offering listeners a hard-won space of calm, transformation, and quiet celebration.
CASANDRA is a Miami-born, Los Angeles-based artist whose work serves as both mirror and sanctuary, creating an intimate space where imagination, healing, and identity converge. Homeschooled for much of her childhood, she developed a deep connection to her inner world early on—a foundation that continues to shape her artistry. Blending alt-pop, R&B, and electronic textures, she creates immersive, cinematic soundscapes that move fluidly between vulnerability and strength, writing in both English and Spanish to reflect her Cuban heritage.
Listen to “WANT VS NEED” on all streaming platforms:
https://found.ee/WANTVSNEED
