Viral Fremantle musician Philip La Rosa is back!
With previous hits amassing over 90 000 streams, this multi-genre marvel returns from a three-year hiatus with his soulful new single, ‘The Impossible’, the first of an album’s worth of singles to be released over the coming months. You can listen to the The Impossible and all of La Rosa’s hits on Spotify.
For La Rosa, ‘The Impossible’ closes the previous chapter of his career, and opens up a whole world of possibility.
La Rosa began his career in 2015 from a background invested in music and the performing arts. Collaborating with hitmakers Banton Brothers to release his debut EP, Strong, La Rosa saw great success and continued to release singles and remixes for the next 10 years. Notable releases include the viral hit ‘Pride,’ an anthem for LGBTQ+ acceptance, and ‘Drowning,’ a collaboration with multi-platinum record producer Taka Perry for Mental Health Day. His most resounding success is undoubtedly chilled electronic ballad ‘Paradise,’ although ‘Fable,’ might be a fan-favourite of WA locals, with the stunning conceptual music video showing off the karri trees of Yallingup.
In 2022, La Rosa found himself falling in and out of love with his craft. His previous steady years of releases was then halted by hiatus, as La Rosa thought the music chapter of his life was about to close.
In sifting through discarded tracks, La Rosa was planning for his swan song to close off what he had started all those years ago. Instead, as ‘The Impossible,’ triumphantly declares in a rework of a ten-year-old song, he was all along standing on the edge of greatness.
Preparing for his final act, La Rosa found his old spark returning, and dove headfirst into the writing process. Working with the long-time collaborators the Banton Brothers,La Rosa sought to revamp an old track, ‘Edge of Greatness,’ as a marker for the new chapter he was about to embark on.
“Trying to close this chapter actually helped me embrace a new beginning,” he notes.
La Rosa has always prioritised vulnerability in his music, which is constantly evident throughout his previous releases. Mental health advocation is a key element in his catalogue, as 2020’s ‘Baggage,’ affirms that “sometimes you’re hiding on the inside.” After getting bullied in high school for his interest in the performing arts and his burgeoning sexuality, La Rosa dropped out and left music behind for some time. He credits that his personal acceptance of his identity, alongside his family’s support, reignited his love for music. This time around, collaboration and the simple act of immersing himself in what he loved made for the perfect creative synergy and return to the music scene.
‘The Impossible,’ screams to the void, but knows that void isn’t all there is. A fusion of uplifting lyrics, full, resonant vocals and head-bopping synths put together a song that one can equally passively enjoy and appreciate on a deeper level. A polished version of its predecessor that makes the beginning of the new chapter incredibly promising. For new listeners, fans of Conrad Sewell and Lauv will be impressed.
An evolution for La Rosa, this track signals not only the beginning of a new era for his music, but as a representative for the ten-year development of his selfhood and creativity. With his core values at the fore, the single exudes the belief that nothing, is in fact, impossible—especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
‘The Impossible,’ is out March 28th.
