Every so often, a voice comes along that feels like it’s always existed – rich, textured and so emotionally eloquent it sounds like it has lived through a hundred different lifetimes. Annahstasia Enuke has that kind of voice. The Nigerian-American singer-songwriter has spent the last decade slowly building her sound. While also growing a career in fashion as a model, music was always at the centre of her craft, signing her first record deal at just 17 years old.

Now, with the release of her full-length debut album Tether, she’s stepped into that centre fully. A soulful, poetic and at times orchestral body of work, Tether follows her 2024 EP Surface Tension. “It was a name that became the function of what I was searching for at that time,” she tells Dazed. “It’s the album title, but it’s also the title of that chapter of my life.” Drawing on everything she’s carried with her over the years, it takes listeners through a journey unpacking love, resilience and grief.

Developing the material for Tether spanned years, with the album recorded to prioritise honesty over polish. This approach resulted in a record that embraces contradictions, comfortably residing in the in-between, and exploring themes of strength and softness, love and solitude. With contributions from artists like aja monet and Obongjayar, the album feels deeply authentic, blending soul, folk, and punk attributes, all anchored by her timeless voice and lyricism.

Below, Annahstasia spoke to us about working on Tether, her dream collaborations and love languages.

What is your earliest memory of music? When did you realise it was something you wanted to pursue?

Annahstasia: My earliest memory of music was being at a Lenny Kravitz concert in the pit, at two or three years old with the big cans on, and feeling the bass move through my little bones. 

When did you start working on this project? What was the main inspiration? 

Annahstasia: It started about four years ago, when I became full of music and felt the need to record it. I was carrying it around like extra weight, playing it live where I could. There was a lot of moving around and an age of life that felt somewhere between limbo and a constant storm. In all that, I was just looking for an anchor, so the name of the season became Tether. 

You’ve said that your career has been a lesson in patience. What have been the most transformative moments that taught you to slow down and trust your path?

Annahstasia: For me, it was every time I put expectations on the momentum. It’s like life pulled the reins. The universe said, ‘Whoa, not quite yet’. It was frustrating till I learned to lean into the pace. 

Do you have a favourite song on the album, or one you enjoyed working on the most? 

Annahstasia: My favourite to record was “Waiting”. It was very rewarding to hear it performed in that way. When I listen back, it transports me to such a specific time and place. 

There’s a real softness and emotional vulnerability running through the album. How do you usually approach songwriting, and what does that process look like for you?

Annahstasia: It’s much like channelling, when I have a good bit of stillness in my life, I sit with my guitar and I begin to play and explore, usually just through practice, the songs come. It’s almost like bloodletting or some less intense analogy, but I’m referring to the function of siphoning off the pressure building up inside of me, the internal self that has so much language and nowhere in daily life for it to go. 

What do you hope people take away from the album?

Annahstasia: Some relief and a gentle form of bravery.

Who’s your dream collab?

Annahstasia: The dream collab list is long, but a few are: Meshell Ndegocello, Arooj Aftab, Shazaad Ismaly, Bjork. 

If you could only listen to one musician for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Annahstasia: Nina Simone. 

What’s your weirdest internet obsession?

Annahstasia: It’s not really weird, but I love a good YouTube deep dive into something I didn’t know much about. My last one was about the history of the Guyana and Surinam. 

 Best hangout spot in your home town?

Annahstasia: They’re all hiking spots. I won’t say where, I’m a nature gatekeeper. I’ll tell the homies but I’m not putting the best spots on blast to get overrun with people doing content shoots. The silence is sacred in this chaotic world. 

What’s your love language?

Annahstasia: Learning and discovering new things together. Being taught things I am curious about. I tend to give in the form of quality time and touch. 

What’s the last text you sent?

Annahstasia: ‘You want anything? There’s a bagel spot and some sandwich places.’

Now that Tether is in the world, how do you imagine your next creative phase unfolding? Is there a new part of yourself you’re curious to explore? 

Annahstasia: I have no clue really, I definitely have to get back into the living part of life. I have to go collect stories and experiences. I’m sure they will form me anew in this new decade. 

Tether is out now.