P&P Spotlight: Serena Mary

After exploring heartbreak in her debut EP, London-based singer-songwriter and producer Serena Mary is opening a new musical chapter centered around healing. With her latest single “There Is Love,” she continues to carve out her space within a rich blend of pop, soul, and jazz, drawing influence from artists such as RAYE, Adele, and Cleo Sol. Known for her emotionally grounded songwriting and warm, expressive vocals, she explores themes of love, growth, and human connection, all anchored by a strong sense of authenticity.

“There Is Love” offers a reflective take on friendship, gratitude, and emotional clarity. Telling the story of her relationship with her best friend of nine years, the track embraces her vulnerability and encourages connection. It’s an invitation to recognize love that’s often present but overlooked. Ahead of the release of “There Is Love,” we spoke with Serena Mary about the inspiration behind the song, her creative process, and her musical journey thus far. Keep reading for our full conversation with her!

Image credit: Serena Mary, graphic created by Karly Ramnani

YOU'LL LOVE SERENA MARY IF YOU LISTEN TO: RAYE, Adele, Ariana Grande, Little Mix, Lady Gaga, SZA, Jorja Smith, Tori Kelly, Victoria Monét

At what age did you first realize your passion for singing and writing music, and how do you feel your voice and artistic perspective have evolved since then?

I grew up in a very musical household, with my dad being a singer and my mom having a very varied music taste. Singing has been my passion since I was about four years old, and I always knew I wanted to do something with it. Writing music came a lot later for me. I think because I was so young, I didn’t really realise songwriting was even part of the process, so I didn’t write my first song until I was seventeen, which actually became my debut single, “All Night Long.” My voice has developed a lot over ten-plus years of vocal training. It’s much stronger technically now, and I’ve learned what songs suit my tone best. In terms of perspective, I’ve become a lot more open to different roles within the music industry and I’m learning to be more multi-faceted as an artist. I also have a much deeper appreciation for musicians now that I’m doing it myself, because I understand how much work really goes into it.

What artists did you grow up listening to, and who is on your playlist today? In what ways have these influences shaped your artistry over the years?

Growing up, I listened a lot to Little Mix, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Adele, and they’re still very present on my playlists today, especially Adele and Gaga. They all taught me the importance of doing what you love and staying true to your own sound rather than chasing what is commercially expected. They’ve shaped my artistry by showing me that genre doesn’t have to be fixed. You can blend sounds, or stick to one lane, as long as it feels authentic. Early on, I thought dance pop and synth pop was my sound, and I did enjoy making it, but over the past few years I’ve realised that soul is where my heart really is. I think those artists helped me explore pop in the first place so I could eventually find what felt most true to me.

How do you approach experimenting with genre blending while still maintaining a clear sense of your own sound?

To be honest, I haven’t fully mastered that yet, and it’s something I’m really focusing on moving forward. I’m very lucky to work with a producer on “There Is Love” who is experienced in multiple genres and instruments, which makes it easier to explore different directions. At the moment, I think my voice is the strongest anchor for my sound. Even when I experiment with genre, there’s a consistency in how I deliver vocally. For “There Is Love,” I feel like I did a good job of blending genres melodically, but I’m still learning how to refine that balance.

What inspired you to write about themes of chosen community and the quiet, sustaining forms of love found in everyday life?

Honestly, I was a bit tired of writing sad songs. I love a good ballad, but it felt like the right time to create something more uplifting, especially since my EP was quite emotionally heavy. I also think we often overlook the people who consistently show up for us. Gratitude is a big part of my life, and I wanted to express appreciation for the people who have shaped me, whether I’ve known them for one year or ten. This song became my way of thanking them through music.

Image credit: Serena Mary

How does “There Is Love” build on your previous project Journey Of A Broken Heart, and in what ways does it signal a new sonic direction for you?

It builds on it in terms of emotional perspective and vocal delivery. This is the first time I’ve felt completely proud of something I’ve made as an artist. Sonically, it’s exactly what I wanted, and I have my producer to thank for that. I feel like it marks the moment I’ve stepped into a sound that feels truly authentic to me, which now allows me to experiment even more freely. People around me have said they’ve already noticed growth since the EP, and I agree. I feel like I’ve finally found what suits me.

If “There Is Love” had a visual aesthetic or mood board, what imagery would best represent it?

I actually had to create one for my headline show poster. It included gratitude and Christianity quotes, sunsets, green open fields, stained glass windows, soft natural makeup with a red lip, and of course, red hearts.

As a writer, producer, and performer of your own music, what does your creative process typically look like from start to finish?

It really varies. When I’m producing a track myself, it usually starts with chords or a lyrical idea. But no two songs are ever the same. Sometimes it starts with a bass line, sometimes a melody, sometimes a lyric. For “There Is Love,” I actually had the concept and title before the song even existed. Then my producer brought in the chords, but I ended up having writer’s block for a few months, which is unusual for me. Other songs, like “Alibi,” came together much more quickly. It really depends on the track.

What’s next for you after “There Is Love”? Is it part of a larger project we should look out for?

I’m releasing a live version of my debut EP, Journey Of A Broken Heart, in October, which I’m really excited about. In terms of new material, yes, “There Is Love” may be part of a larger project coming next year, but for now I’m focusing on singles and continuing to shape my sound.

Image credit: Serena Mary

Finally, the Playlists & Polaroids classic: what is a lyric from “There Is Love” that stands out to you the most? Can you walk us through how you wrote it and what it means to you personally?

The lyric “Gave me hope when my faith was thin, spread a little light in the dim” stands out the most to me. It took a while to get the pre-chorus right because I really wanted to paint a clear emotional picture and tell a story. Christianity is a very important part of my life, so the lyrics reflect my relationship with faith. But it also has a double meaning, as it represents my best friend being there for me through highs and lows, and lifting me up when I needed it most. It’s one of my favorite lyrics I’ve ever written.

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“There Is Love” marks a beautiful shift in Serena Mary’s perspective, as she chooses to celebrate the quiet, sustaining love she shares with her chosen family. A pivotal moment that represents her new sound in soul and determines her sonic direction for future releases, “There Is Love” remains emotionally grounded and resonates universally. If “There Is Love” is any indication of what’s to come, listeners can expect a continued deepening of her artistry, shaped by authenticity, emotional clarity, and a growing confidence in her artistic voice. Here’s a playlist we’ve curated to capture her vibe!