On the latest episode of The Mixdown, Fuse talks to the British soul singer Estelle, who is fresh off the release of a three-song EP called Love & Happiness, Vol. 3: How Stella Got Her Groove Back. As the title indicates, the record is inspired by the film of the same name, as are the first (Love Jones) and second (Waiting to Exhale) volumes of her Love & Happiness series.
According to Estelle, the idea was pitched by a member of her team who noticed how passionate the singer was about watching movies — and preceding to act out scenes — on her tour bus.
"I write about my life, so everything I've written is something I can acutely say I've been through. [The first volume] Love Jones is the transition from breaking up with somebody and getting back into a relationship again," she explains. "Waiting to Exhale is the thoughts you have in between, when you feel like it's over but you take it out on a new guy. And [the third volume] Stella Got Her Groove Back is the 'Man, I'm back in the game. I'm enjoying this new guy, I'm enjoying this new moment.'"
Later, Estelle plays a few dancehall and reggae influenced tracks, including "Call These Boys" and "Make Her Say (Beat It Up)," the latter epitomizing the spirit of the third EP. According to Estelle, the song's statement is, "I'm too hot for this rubbish."