Cape Cod native Vanna Pacella proves that musical maturity has no age limit. The 18-year-old singer-songwriter, keyboardist, and synth bassist pours her heart and vision into her nine-track debut album, Listen, released on July 25. The project is an emotional and sonic journey through self-discovery, heartbreak, and healing — all wrapped in lush arrangements and unforgettable melodies.

The album opens with “The More I Feel,” a brief yet cinematic instrumental that sets the tone for the world Pacella builds. With its delicate piano and evolving textures, the track speaks volumes without a single lyric — capturing atmosphere, movement, and emotion in just a few moments.

Next comes the album’s namesake and title track, “Listen.” Beginning with a glacial piano melody that unfolds into a gentle rhythm, the track explores the vulnerable path of a songwriter searching for meaning and recognition. Pacella’s ethereal vocals glide effortlessly over the haunting harmonies, delivering a performance that feels both fragile and powerful. It’s a song that doesn’t just entertain — it moves you, urging listeners to appreciate the unseen battles artists face.

“The Dark Side of the Light” offers an introspective look at the sorrow of attachment and inner conflict. The bright piano contrasts beautifully with the melancholic lyrics, while Pacella’s emotive voice captures the struggle between love and self-liberation.

With “All I Ever Wanted,” the tempo shifts into a warm yet wistful tone. A blend of guitar and percussion anchors a story of love found and lost — of realizing that even fulfilled dreams can come with heartbreak.

“Holding My Breath” introduces a rock-infused energy. Its striking acoustic textures and gripping guitar solo underline a narrative of growth, nostalgia, and resilience. The balance between vulnerability and defiance makes it one of the album’s standout moments.

The introspective “Come (What Have I Done?)” draws listeners into a cyclical reflection of human mistakes and lessons repeated. The hypnotic blend of keyboards, electric guitar, and Pacella’s soaring voice makes this track both thought-provoking and sonically rich.

On “Wolf,” Pacella delivers one of her most emotionally charged performances. Through poignant piano chords and layered vocals, she portrays a love turned captivity — a haunting look at emotional entrapment wrapped in beauty. Her voice, crisp and bright, cuts through the darkness like sunlight through fog.

“Fold” unfolds as a mesmerizing ballad of forgiveness and empowerment. With a sound reminiscent of Billie Eilish’s atmospheric style, Pacella creates an intimate yet cinematic moment that lingers long after it ends.

The album closes with “The Less I Know,” a surprisingly upbeat finale that captures the messy beauty of heartbreak and acceptance. It’s cathartic, relatable, and deeply human — the perfect curtain call to an album that’s as personal as it is universal.

Listen is more than just an album — it’s a coming-of-age statement from a young artist with an old soul. Self-produced and self-aware, it showcases Vanna Pacella’s growth as a songwriter and her fearless embrace of emotion and truth.

Stream the “Listen” album on Spotify.

Follow Vanna Pacella on her socials: Facebook, Instagram