In a world where collaboration can mean homogenisation, sometimes what’s needed is a singular voice to create something truly innovative. Step forward Stella Matteoni and her self-produced debut album, Imposter.
By Graeme Smith
“I really wanted to present a project that fully represents me, with my weaknesses and all, especially as a first album,” says Matteoni when I asked her about the decision to go it alone. “Being independent and having the freedom to make my own choices without asking anyone’s permission is such a beautiful feeling, particularly in an industry that’s still male-dominated.”
It’s a bold decision for a project that has been years in the making. Matteoni was slaving away on Imposter for a long time before she hit our radar in May 2025 through her single Imposter Syndrome. “It was one of the last songs I wrote for the album,” she says.
The track opens Imposter. “[It’s] still the song that feels the most like me, even today,” Matteoni says on the decision to open the album with it. “It’s also my most pop track and the very first one I released, so it serves as my introduction to the world.”
And it’s quite the introduction. The track is still as arresting as part of the album as it was when I first heard it. A quiet soulful intro which highlights the character of Matteoni’s vocals gives way to a bright and breezy verse which proves an instant earworm.
“I chose it as the opener because it sums up the album’s theme and reflects exactly how I felt releasing a project that I had written entirely by myself, that sense of being an impostor. It’s also a song about forgetting your problems through music, which mirrors how creating the album was deeply therapeutic for me.”
This kind of editorial decision shows just how much of herself that Matteoni has put into her debut. There’s thought, care, and attention put into every track and note. Yet it’s far from a vanity project. In fact, I’ve heard few albums that feel more approachable and universal.
While undeniably pop, there is enough variety in what Matteoni gives us to keep things interesting. At times, the album channels J-pop (Blah Blah Blah), musical theatre (London Calling), and we even get a bit of ‘80s-style disco rap (a la The Waitresses Christmas Wrapping) in another standout track, Toxic Fboy.
Some of the lyrical topics feel well-worn in the world of modern music but Matteoni’s distinct charm and genre-mashing makes them fresh. Listening to Imposter is the most fun I’ve had for a while. There’s a simple joy to it, with enough nuance for those who crave it. It’s an album of the year contender.
A truly international artist, Matteoni is comfortable writing in Italian, French, and English. Her parents are musicians, and she embraced the world of music at an early age. “Growing up in a musical family had a huge impact on me… I think a lot of my approach to melodies and harmonies comes from my father. I learned a lot just by watching him work,” she says.
She credits her father for her ability to write by ear and feeling rather than theory, as well as driving a disciplined approach into her. “From my mother,” she adds, “I inherited my love for singing and performing. I’ve always loved being in the studio, experimenting and producing, but I also enjoy the idea of being in front of an audience.”
After spending several years in Paris, she now calls London home, an opportunity afforded to her through a Global Talent visa. “I’ve been living in London since January and plan to stay long-term,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to be here… and I’m excited to continue developing my project in the UK.”
If you want to keep up to date with all she’s doing, you can do so by following her on Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Stella Matteoni sees Imposter as her “first baby” and the love she’s shown it has really paid off. It’s out now, and you can give it a listen below.
