Why Lennon Stella Had to Start Over to Make the Album She Wanted With ‘Sleeping Lion’
After a six-year absence from the spotlight, Lennon Stella is returning with *Sleeping Lion*, an album shaped by her decision to set aside audience expectations and follow her own voice. She says making music this way helped her feel more creatively free, and the deeply personal record marks a new chapter after her 2020 debut, *Three. Two. One.*
Stella scrapped an earlier version of the album and began again with producer Andy Shauf, whose exploratory approach added atmosphere to her intimate, acoustic-leaning songs. The lead single, “Comedy Show”, felt unusually exposing because it names people directly; other tracks reflect on her inner life and her parents’ relationship. The article presents the album as a more candid expression of Stella’s songwriting.
In short
- Lennon Stella returns after six years with *Sleeping Lion*.
- She scrapped an earlier version and worked with Andy Shauf.
- The album shares more direct, personal songwriting.
Explained simply
Lennon Stella is a Canadian singer and songwriter who first became widely known as a teenager through the musical duo Lennon & Maisy, which she formed with her sister. She later pursued a solo career, releasing her debut album, Three. Two. One., in 2020.
Making a record can involve several rounds of writing, recording and choosing which songs to keep. Stella has described setting aside an earlier attempt and working with producer Andy Shauf, who helped shape the sound around her personal, acoustic-leaning songs.
The story sits within a wider question many musicians face: how to balance listeners’ expectations with the music they want to make. Stella says following her own instincts gave her more creative freedom, and the record draws on private relationships and experiences.
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