Soulful, grounded and timeless: An introduction to Stefan Mahendra
- Kay Joseph
- Jun 11
- 4 min read
Kay Joseph | June 2026
From a piano bench in South London to discovering American gospel, Stefan Mahendra is carving out his path as a modern soul artist, making music that is soulful, grounded and timeless. That’s what he prides himself on.
At BRUIT., we don’t shy away from getting a little soulful every now and then, so we are going to tell you everything you need to know about Stefan Mahendra.
Stefan’s journey as an artist started behind the piano, with a background in classical training. It didn’t last long before he steered off the traditional path, drawn into the world of jazz, soul, and R&B. He was heavily influenced by artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and D’Angelo, known for crafting entire sonic experiences from the piano, building them from the keys up.
That lineage is present in Stefan’s music, and when you listen to songs like “Alright”, it’s like listening to Marvin Gaye if he released music in the modern day and age. It has soothing, peaceful elements, often supported by wind instruments like trumpets and guided by a laid-back drum rhythm. It’s almost impossible to stay in a rush when listening to his music. You’re completely transported back to the present.
One of the songs that showcases his sonic landscape well is “Yesterday Was Heaven”. It blends modern techniques, like an overlay on the vocals, with R&B and soul seamlessly. Particularly on this song, Stefan’s vocals stand out. His range is incredible, and the vocal runs he does are smooth and fit the song incredibly well.
One of my personal favourites and a standout from his discography is his collaboration with R&B and soul artist sepha on “Fire”. Their voices blend together and complement each other remarkably well. An interpretation of the song could be a first date that sparked a big flame between the protagonists, conveyed through the chorus's lyrics: “You let the fire back inside of me / Back in control of my body / And I’m excited to feel it.”
At the start of the song, you hear the male protagonist talking to his friend about how good the connection was, after which he starts singing about how the woman made him feel. “To think how long I’ve waited / Tired and frustrated / Motivation faded / But now you’re here / You kiss away the fear”.
In the second verse, the female protagonist comes in and tells her side of the story, equally passionate: “Something's changed, somethin's changed in my head / You came around, and got me to live life a little better / Now I wanna see what else I can experience.” At the end, you hear her on the phone to someone as well. The narrative choices made on this song are exactly why it became my favourite on first listen.
His most recent song was released in May this year. A calm, piano-supported song with a light drum beat, “Too Late” delivers the message of trusting your gut and not waiting for permission or anyone’s support. My favourite lyrics that encapsulate this feeling lie within the pre-chorus. “I got you in my rearview mirror / Begging me to reconsider your apology” and “It’s too late / To turn around and change your mind / It’s too late / The moment’s gone and passed you by.”
Once again, his voice is something that stands out significantly. He knows exactly what the song needs from him vocally.
Stefan himself wrote about “Too Late” on Instagram: “A lot of people doubt you when you start chasing your dreams.
“They can’t see the vision because it isn’t real to them yet.
“Then, when things start working out, they suddenly start believing in you.
“That’s what this song is about.”
Here are five more recommendations while discovering his songs myself:
“Could It Be” featuring Nahima
“Come Home”
“Lovin’ You Is Easy”
“Out Of The Blue” featuring Immy
“Tear This Love Apart” featuring fika
The soul artist has become more popular over the past couple of years. In 2024, he opened for US soul sensation Jarrod Lawson on his UK tour, and in 2025 he supported October London on his sold-out UK run. Later that year, he joined soul group The Stylistics on their 24-date UK tour and in February of 2026, he supported Joss Stone on her US West Coast tour.
As of right now, he’s on a headline tour throughout the US and UK. The last date is set for 18 June, where he performs in The Folklore Rooms in Brighton.
For people who want to sit back and relax, thread into undiscovered territory, or have always been interested in this genre, Stefan Mahendra is the perfect place to start. His music pays tribute to the roots of R&B and soul, with a modern twist.
Fair warning, though: once you start listening, you won’t get enough of him.
Follow Stefan Mahendra on Instagram here!
Listen to “Too Late” here!
