Stella Cole It's Magic LP

TAS Rated 5/5 Music, 5/5 Sonics in the January 2026 Issue of The Absolute Sound!

Stella Cole sings the Great American Songbook for a New Generation. With over 1.6 million social followers, a global tour schedule, and national TV appearances, the 26-year-old artist is bringing timeless standards to fans the world over.

On her 2025 album It's Magic, Stella takes on songs that were familiar, but somewhat unconventional, including "Stairway to the Stars," "My Ideal," and "Fools Rush In," all of which utilize the more intimate backing of a string quartet, as opposed to the full 24-part string orchestra.

The package varies from classic show tunes, like "Till There Was You" from The Music Man, to iconic film themes, like "As Time Goes By," a Stella favorite from Casablanca, Doris Day's 1948 hit "It's Magic" from Romance on the High Seas, and Burt Bacharach's main title theme from Alfie (1966). Above all, there are jazz and songbook standards, like "Say It" and "The Touch of Your Lips."

Stella's glorious voice singing these shimmering orchestral arrangements by master pianist/arranger Alan Broadbent offers new depth of meaning and emotion within the lyrics and melodies... Throughout the album, the warmth and clarity of the sound is constant, as is the tender honesty offered in the singing and playing. Care has been taken in every regard to enable a high-quality audiophile listening experience for music lovers of every age... It's difficult to choose a favorite song from this collection since each is top notch. Listen. Repeat. Listen. Fall in love with true and honest beauty.