CASANDRA releases “WANT VS NEED” ahead of ISLA TRANQUILITA, exploring how early expectations shape instinct, self-trust, and adulthood.
Singer, songwriter, and producer CASANDRA returns with her new single “WANT VS NEED,” the final release before her EP ISLA TRANQUILITA. Through the track, she explores how expectations formed early in life can slowly shape, suppress, and silence our instincts, with those effects often carrying into adulthood.
Miami-born and Los Angeles-based, CASANDRA creates music that feels both deeply personal and comforting, building a space where imagination, healing, and identity come together. Since she spent much of her childhood homeschooled, she developed a strong connection to her inner world early on. And that perspective continues to shape her artistry today.
Blending alt-pop, R&B, and electronic influences, CASANDRA crafts immersive and cinematic soundscapes that shift between vulnerability and strength. At the same time, she writes in both English and Spanish, reflecting her Cuban heritage and adding another layer of intimacy to her work.
Backed by atmospheric production, her haunting, ethereal vocals explore the tension between desire and conditioning. Through “WANT VS NEED,” CASANDRA reflects on how early expectations can slowly suppress instinct and self-trust. As a result, those effects often linger into adulthood. At the same time, the song highlights her growing awareness of this pattern. In the process, CASANDRA moves closer to reclaiming her inner voice. She also embraces the idea that intuition holds its own truth and wisdom.
ISLA TRANQUILITA EP
ISLA TRANQUILITA — Spanish for “little island of peace” — became one of the most personal projects CASANDRA created. She dedicated the EP to her late great-aunt Teresa, a Cuban émigré who gave her comfort and stability throughout her childhood in Miami. Whenever CASANDRA felt overwhelmed, her aunt would gently say “tranquilita,” and encourage her to pause, breathe, and calm down.
At the same time, CASANDRA worked on the project during a physically and emotionally challenging period. This time was shaped by ongoing health struggles. Still, the creative process slowly turned into a space for healing. Through her collaboration with producer Jaye Locke, she found a safe and supportive environment where the music could develop naturally. As a result, ISLA TRANQUILITA became both a tribute to her aunt and a quiet expression of peace, comfort, and serenity.
Since she started releasing music as a teenager, CASANDRA spent nearly a decade building a career rooted in independence, emotional honesty, and fearless self-expression. Over time, her music grew alongside her listeners. Many of them supported her through different chapters of her life and artistry.
With ISLA TRANQUILITA, she stepped into a new era that marked both a personal victory and a creative breakthrough. In the end, the EP captured the clearest version of who she had become. At the same time, it offered listeners a space for calm, transformation, and quiet celebration.
Press Release
