Track-by-Track: Stephen Thomas Dives into ‘Universal Me’ EP

Stephen Thomas has quickly become a recurring force in the independent music scene, having dropped multiple singles that pave the way for him to be known as a “man of many genres.” His success in fluidly moving between genres and influences is finally culminating in his most ambitious project yet, The Universal Me EP, firmly establishing Stephen as an artist paving the path for a “universal” genre.

A five-track EP that refuses to be confined to a single sound or story, the project blends R&B, country, pop, hip-hop, and alt-rock in a seamless exploration of love, heartbreak, resilience and self-discovery. As a five-time Grammy-considered artist, Stephen is using this project to say out loud: “I’m not just one thing… I’m made of hip-hop, country, rock/punk, pop, R&B, and real-life experience, and this is the sound of all those layers finally being heard.”

That message is heard loud and clear, as the EP quickly hit over 100,000 streams in its first twelve hours of release, showcasing Stephen’s gift for crossing emotional and musical borders. Fans of Chris Brown, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, MGK, Morgan Wallen, and Blink-182 will find something to love in this project’s blend of soulful melodies, raw lyrics, and genre-spanning production.

We are excited to get the exclusive inside scoop from Stephen Thomas on what inspired each of these tracks, insight into his creative process, and more with this exclusive Track-by-Track rundown of The Universal Me EP.

1. “Breaking Hearts”

“When I started writing this, I was in a place of wanting to push boundaries and let out some raw emotion. Part of that came from being in Nebraska when our radio promoter called to say a station was spinning my debut rock record. I was hyped — the host loved it — but then I heard their listeners thought ‘Back Home’ and ‘Stay Strong’ were ‘too positive.’ That stung. I had put everything into creating something authentic, and hearing that lit a fire under me.

“That’s when ‘Breaking Hearts’ went from just an idea to a mission. I took that disappointment and flipped it into productivity, channelling real pain, real emo, and real growth. The song also came from past situationships and relationships where people tried to hold me back or secretly wanted me to fail. Getting away from that isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. Even if it breaks their heart, it might be the only way to heal your own. The wrong energy can drag you down into their misery, and misery loves company. I don’t have time for that, and neither should you.

“‘Breaking Hearts’ became my way of releasing all of that; a wild pop-punk anthem about chaos, attitude, and not holding back. From there, it turned into what it is today: something raw, powerful, and worth every listen.”

2. “Strange Love”

“This one is straight from real life. Love can be amazing, but it can also be complicated, confusing, and even painful at times. ‘Strange Love’ came from a mix of places — conversations, friendships, situationships, and everything in between. I wanted to capture all those unpredictable moments, the highs and the lows, in a way that still feels fun and catchy, but also raw and honest. I’ve even called this song ‘the new love language.’ Forget the five we all know, I created number six, and it’s called ‘Strange Love.’ Because honestly, so much of what we feel in relationships doesn’t fit neatly into a category. Every time I listen back, it takes me to those moments when love didn’t make sense… but somehow, that’s exactly what made it beautiful.”

3. “Outstanding” feat. DJ UNK

“Collaborating with UNK was honestly a dream come true. I grew up blasting his music — if you remember the multi-platinum hits ‘2 Step,’ ‘Walk It Out,’ and the legendary remix with T-Pain, then you already know UNK was making nothing but classics. To be able to create this record with him before his passing is something I’ll always cherish. The crazy part is, this wasn’t forced — it was natural.

“I sent him my verse and the beat, and the first thing he said was, ‘Bro, you gotta let me get on this.’ I laughed and said, ‘Man, that’s exactly why I sent it to you.’ From there, we both understood the assignment. We didn’t just want to recreate the past; we wanted to fuse the ’80s old school vibe with his 2000s old school energy and today’s new school sound into one timeless groove.

“Shout out to Calhoun and the Gap Band, with Uncle Charlie Wilson, the legends behind the original ‘Outstanding.’ When they heard our version, they told us, ‘This is a HIT,’ and more than that, they appreciated the artistry and how we honoured the original while bringing something fresh. Having that blessing meant everything to me. This song is a celebration of the ladies, a feel-good record that’s meant to make you move, smile, and remember why music is supposed to bring joy.”

4. “Come Home To Me”

“This is without a doubt one of the most heartfelt songs I’ve ever written. When my producer in Cali first played me the music, I said right away, ‘Man, this is a vibe.’ I knew it was special. What I didn’t know at the time was just how personal it would become. ‘Come Home To Me’ is my debut country song, but it’s also a piece of my family. While I was working on it, my cousin Krystle, who’s like a sister to me, suffered a sudden brain aneurysm in December 2022. It shook our whole family.

“I was in the middle of recording sessions when I got the news, and I remember feeling torn. We just couldn’t get to her at first because she was being moved between hospitals, so I kept working in the sessions until we could. In a way, it helped me process everything and kept me from being completely consumed by worry.

“One night while she was in the hospital, Krystle popped up on my Facebook Live. I tried to hold back tears, but seeing her there broke me in the best way. Even though we couldn’t talk, I told her, ‘Krystle, you’ve got to come home to me. You’ve got to do what this hook says — get back up, go another round, and stay strong.’ She typed back, ‘Yes, I am strong, and I am going to get back up.’

“That moment gave this song a whole new meaning. It became more than music; it became a promise, a prayer, and a reminder of resilience. Today, Krystle is doing well, serving others as a nurse and living proof of that strength. So when I sing ‘Come Home To Me,’ I’m not just singing about family, love, and the comfort of home; I’m singing about survival, faith, and the people who mean everything to us. For me, it’s like wrapping myself in a memory that will always matter.”

Stephen Thomas ‘The Universal Me’ album artwork

5. “Feening For Love”

“This track will always be special to me because it wasn’t even written; it was completely freestyled. It ended up becoming my first official R&B record, and to my surprise, it went on to receive a Grammy consideration. I was honestly in awe of myself, because it showed me that I’m not limited to just one lane or style of music. The song made me realize something bigger too, that we’re all, in some way, feening for love. Genuine love isn’t easy to come by. It’s something we have to truly value, protect, and cherish when we find it. Lyrically, the song is about letting that special someone know you’re willing to cater to them, uplift them, speak life into them, and be there through everything.

“It’s smooth and soulful, but more than that, it’s me opening up in a way I hadn’t before. ‘Feening For Love’ gave me the freedom to explore my R&B roots and pour every ounce of emotion I had into the mic. It’s a reminder that love, in its truest form, is worth longing for.”