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Calgary Herald

In the moods: Calgary's Mariya Stokes releases debut album with songs about vulnerability and empowerment

Article content On Mariya Stokes' debut album, Mood Ring, one of the key songs almost didn't make it onto the track list. Article content Article content Largely recorded live off the floor in only a few takes, Chantelle is a cheerful number about the secret romance between two women that began when they were teenagers. Article content 'I won't tell, if you won't tell,' Stokes sings over an endearing country-pop vibe. One of the song's producers, Calgary's Justin Kudding, was a big proponent of the tune and argued with Stokes about including it on the album. He insisted they give it a go, but Stokes was unsure. Article content Article content 'The band sat down and there was no pre-production, we had no idea what was going to come out,' says Stokes in an interview from her Calgary home. 'It was magic on take one. While it sounds poppy, I don't think there is any programming on that song. It's a live band. It's incredible and one of the coolest moments I've ever had in the studio. He was right. He had a vision and the whole band jumped on it.' Article content Article content Lyrically, the sexy tale of a same-sex relationship may still raise eyebrows in the world of country music, which tends to lean right and has been slow to embrace diversity with the same enthusiasm as other segments of the industry. But Stokes says things are changing for LGBTQ+ artists in the genre. Article content 'It's 2025 and I'm a queer artist and that song explores me discovering that and reconciling with my identity and trying to figure out how to come out,' Stokes says. 'I think the industry is changing for sure. I think there is more representation, there are more spaces that are safe for queer people. Sometimes, we still have to look for them. T he Blue Jay Sessions in Calgary is a really great example of that. There are a lot of queer people that are looking for music that is about their experiences. I know I am.' Article content Article content Chantelle isn't the only song on the record that delves into identity. The ballad Rebound, which Stokes first released as a single in 2021, and the mid-tempo Biggest Fan, are also songs where 'gender isn't specified,' Stokes says. Article content 'Yeah, you can fall in love with all kinds of kinds,' she says with a laugh. Article content The 14 songs on Mood Ring showcase a number of tones and often veer into different styles, from pop music to R&B. Closing track Patron Saint is a sultry torch song, while the sly Christmas, Arizona, with its narrative about a woman stalking a man, plays like a salty honkytonk sing-along. Article content In general, the album showcases an artist intent on sticking to her vision. The newest single, for instance, has the very non-Nashville title F–k Pretty and has Stokes taking on beauty standards over a funky bass line.