Toronto-born Canadian-Peruvian artist Santi Forget returns with her new single “NORTH STAR,” a warm, reflective record that blends neo soul, indie pop, and R&B into a smooth, nostalgia-tinged portrait of home. Recorded at Lincoln County Studios in Toronto, the track captures both a personal reconnection to the city and a broader sense of community pride, positioning itself as a quiet celebration of place, memory, and identity.
Built around live instrumentation, “NORTH STAR” leans into an organic, band-driven sound. A trio-style setup forms the foundation, with Johnathan Maynard on keys, Joshua Allen on drums, Andre Thomas on bass, and Layton Thomas on guitar. The result is a fluid arrangement that feels intimate but never sparse, with piano arpeggios and soft guitar textures weaving through the track’s steady rhythm. The production avoids over-polish in favour of warmth, allowing the performance to sit close to the listener.
At the centre of the song is Santi’s vocal presence, which moves between English and Spanish with ease. Her delivery carries a 90s-inspired retro soul influence, but the writing is grounded in present-day reflection. “NORTH STAR” plays like a personal reintroduction to Toronto after a period of distance, shaped by renewed appreciation for the city’s everyday details. There is a clear emotional shift at the heart of the track, from wanting to leave to rediscovering belonging.
Lyrically, Santi frames Toronto through lived experience rather than abstraction. She references thrifting culture, antique shops, speakeasies, restaurants, art galleries, seasonal changes, and the city’s bike lanes, building a textured map of urban life. Cultural nods to Drake, The Weeknd, and Jessie Reyez further anchor the track within a distinctly Toronto musical lineage, without overwhelming its intimate tone.
What makes “NORTH STAR” effective is its restraint. Instead of aiming for grandeur, it leans into detail and atmosphere, allowing nostalgia to emerge naturally through sound and imagery. The track’s pacing mirrors its emotional intent, unfolding slowly like a late-night drive through familiar streets.
Santi Forget continues to refine a sound that sits between genres, combining alternative pop sensibilities with neo soul warmth and indie simplicity. Following her earlier work including Dear New Love and her 2025 EP Raquel, this new release feels like a continuation of her focus on emotional honesty and live, human performance.
Featured Images: Artist Supplied
