Humble beginnings often lead to honorable results, and Bay Area artist Peter Saputo embodies this dynamic. Committing to music full-time in 2018, he was inspired by the loss of a family member to mental illness. Saputo’s mission is to connect with listeners and aid them in their own personal struggles. The empathy that serves as his motivation materializes naturally into his music, as evidenced on “shattered,” his newest release. “All I ever wanted was for you to stay / And sorry doesn’t ever make this feel ok,” he despairs on the song’s chorus, shedding light on a disappointing resolution to an aching chronicle of a relationship’s downfall. The track has an organic build-up that mirrors that of the emotions felt post-breakup, an intense amalgamation of reflection and reality. A scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs anthem, “shattered” picks at fresh wounds without touching a nerve that’s too sensitive, a tender balance that is often hard to come by in times of all-consuming emotion.

“shattered” serves as Saputo’s first single of the year, following up last year’s “gasoline,” as the emerging artist looks to further build momentum in his relatively young career. With genuine intentions and a captivating voice, Saputo brings new perspectives to listeners who are going through their own valleys. Through forthright vulnerability he is able to easily connect with fans, earning his way into playlists with his cleverly-simple melodies. There’s more than one way to get to the top, and Saputo’s approach prioritizes an openness in his music that pulls listeners even closer to himself as an artist and person. There’s little doubt that his fans will be with him through it all as they collectively cope with the oftentimes harsh realities we are presented with.

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