Erica Rose is about to release her debut EP ‘Cry Baby’. And trust me, it’s worth the wait. I got to hear it in advance — yes, an exclusive, yes, all above board — and yes, I’ve got thoughts. But before diving into the tracks, I want to take a step back.

Because, honestly, Erica’s story deserves its own spotlight. Her journey is part of the sound. Once you understand where she started and what she’s been through, everything on this EP hits differently. Deeper.

photo by alexander

She was born in New York and now lives in Los Angeles. If this were a screenplay, starting out on the opposite coast definitely adds some color to her backstory. She says one of her earliest memories is performing literally “on tables” — her mom would set her up like a living statue at family or work events and let her sing. I’ve always felt that kind of childhood plants a certain gene for boldness and openness. How often do you see a kid just stand up and sing for people without a hint of fear? That’s probably when she first sensed, instinctively, that music could connect with and move people.

Later, she enrolled at Marymount Manhattan College, focusing on acting and setting music aside — but not for good. In 2022, Erica moved to Los Angeles, and everything shifted — the old passion came back. The turning point came in December of that same year: she recorded a cover album for her grandmother Priscilla, to stay connected despite the distance and her dementia diagnosis. It was a deeply personal gesture, but it ended up becoming the catalyst — after listening, her dad called and said, “You have to do something with this.” And from that moment on, she hasn’t looked back.

Erica found herself in Los Angeles, performing with cover bands all around the county. In a city where every other person dreams of fame, there’s no shortage of talent — but not everyone holds on to the sincerity and warmth that come through in Erica’s voice. On top of that, she managed to bring her debut EP, Cry Baby, to completion, with its release set for April 19th. It’s worth noting that all of this feels like a natural continuation of a journey that began back in her youth. For some, that span of time might seem short, but considering the moves she’s made, the shifting priorities, and the rekindled passion for music, what she’s crafted is a compelling personal saga.

As someone who loves jumping between genres, I get a real kick out of hearing driving guitar riffs in one track and soft, melodic transitions in the next. Listening to Cry Baby, it feels like she’s defending her right to be sensitive, while also pushing back against the kind of criticism usually aimed at people who are too emotional for the room. I’ve always appreciated that moment when an artist openly shows how even the most tender parts of their personality can be a source of strength.

Fierce, Personal, and Full of Bite

The opening track, ‘Cry Baby’, comes in loud and clear with a warning: get ready, it’s about to hit. It kicks off with a rolling riff that makes you want to turn the volume up and give yourself a second to just nod along. Stylish, forceful country rock with a hint of the theatrical. Erica’s vocal — and Erica herself — tears off the internal filter and lets her voice be her. Not a single false note in the delivery — just energy, just passion. This is a stage, a spotlight, and she’s standing right in the center.

photo by alexander

Then comes the shift in ‘Move’ — same Erica, different angle. Suddenly, we’re in the city, late evening, with streetlights glowing and the air thick with asphalt and freedom. The sound leans into funk and groove, something you’d expect from a sleek, well-shot film about a city, its people, and the quiet changes they go through.

And then ‘Reason and Love’ begins, and everything goes quiet, almost intimate. Just her voice and the space around it. The vocal floats, barely touching the arrangement, as if not to disturb the fragile moment you’re in.

Just when you’ve settled into that stillness — bam. ‘Lose Sleep’. We’re back in high volume mode. Sharp guitars, punchy vocal delivery, like she’s done holding it in. ‘California’ eases off the intensity but doesn’t lose shape. This is the track you want playing with the windows down on a long drive. And ‘Falling’… she really pulled it off here. It’s the last scene of a movie — the part where you stay in your seat while the credits roll because you’re not ready to snap back to reality. Her vocal is vulnerability dressed in strength.

Final verdict? Let’s put it this way: Cry Baby is a confident introduction. Over the course of six tracks, Erica Rose shows range, character, and — most importantly — taste. She knows exactly what she’s doing. What really gets me about Erica is that she doesn’t pretend to play the role of an artist — she just lets you hear what’s going on inside. She doesn’t hide behind a persona; she works with herself as the raw material. And that’s powerful. Especially for a debut, which could’ve easily leaned too cautious or tried too hard to sound “grown up.” This is neither. Just music, voice, confidence, and a little bite.

Now, heads up: the release show is happening April 19 at Trip Santa Monica. And if you’re in Los Angeles and miss it, you’re seriously passing on the chance to catch an artist who’s just getting started — but already sounds like she’s been here for a while. I mean it: that kind of magic happens in small rooms, where artists are most alive and audiences are fully locked in. Erica Rose isn’t passing through. This release is both a musical statement and a kind of portal into a story she’s only beginning to tell. It’s going to be fascinating to see how she keeps unfolding it.

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