Gemma Fassie’s ‘Island 22’ EP Has Arrived – A Sonic Diary of Love, Loss, and Liberation

From the southern tip of Africa to playlists around the globe, Cape Town’s Gemma Fassie is making a compelling case for why she’s one of the continent’s most important new voices in R&B, Pop, and Afrobeat. With the release of her long-anticipated 6-track EP Island 22, she doesn’t just offer a project—she offers a mirror, a safe place, and a melodic journey through the emotional corners of the human heart.

A rich tapestry of romance, vulnerability, and empowerment, Island 22 is more than a title; it’s a state of mind. Each track is a chapter in a story Gemma has lived, survived, and now, generously shares with the world. With roots steeped in musical heritage and a career carved by resilience, the project invites listeners into her internal landscape, soundtracked by atmospheric R&B-pop melodies, nostalgic 90s influences, and Afrobeat rhythms that echo the pulse of Cape Town’s soul.

The journey begins with Hold On, an ethereal invitation into the EP’s core message—resilience. It’s a sonic pep talk, a whisper to the weary: “You are enough.” From there, Date Night plunges listeners into the haunting reality of blurred romance, where sweet words hide red flags. In No More, Gemma flips the script—it's not a heartbreak ballad, but a liberating goodbye. With every lyric, she reclaims her voice.

Tracks like What You Want and My Place show her range, both musically and emotionally. One tackles clarity after a breakup with Janet Jackson-inspired flair, the other celebrates love’s warmth through infectious Afrobeat melodies. Closing the EP is September, a ballad bathed in spring’s optimism, where forgiveness and new beginnings take root.

But Island 22 is not just about relationships with others; it’s about the one we have with ourselves. It’s about letting go, trusting intuition, and learning to hold on—only to what heals.

Stream 'Island 22' below: