When you hear the name Stephen Thomas, you might right away think of Charleston, West Virginia, or maybe his own genre name, “Universal” As a label, it does not feel like a neat box. Instead, it feels like an open field where hip-hop and alternative pop music mix.
His most recent song, “Breaking Hearts,” sounds a lot like that. It utilises sounds from artists like Post Malone and Fall Out Boy and twists them into something that is uniquely Thomas.
This track isn’t background music. It demands attention. Pulled from his forthcoming EP, The Universal Me, “Breaking Hearts” is presented as a statement piece about cutting loose.
Let go of the things that are holding you back, like relationships that drain you, jobs that break your spirit, and standards that do not fit.
Thomas makes it clear that people should stay away from energy vampires:
“Stay away from those who drain you of the energy you need to function—for yourself and those who love you.”
It is a simple, straight idea that gets through the noise and hits home.
He continues, contrasting the takers with the givers:
“People who don’t care never want you to win, while those who do will always push you past your limits to make you better in the end.”
This is not just the lyrics; it sounds like the engine that gives the song its determined drive. Similarly, the music changes from quiet, introspective parts to to bursts of assertive sound. It is like seeing someone walk around a room, think, and then all of a sudden kick the door down.
Speaking of visuals, the accompanying music video, directed by Will Thomas, apparently captures this very dynamic – the internal struggle giving way to decisive action.
It is interesting how a song about breaking hearts, ties, and patterns can make you feel good. Like taking down an old building to make a new one that is better.
This comes after his last song, “Stay Strong,” which was also about being strong, which suggests that this is a theme that runs through Thomas’s work.
He seems focused on getting through things and becoming strong, whether he is dealing with pressures from the outside or fights inside himself.
His five Grammy nominations and being named a “Artist To Watch in 2025” by The Source Magazine give “Breaking Hearts” more meaning, but the song itself is amazing.
One possible purpose of the “Universal” tag is to make it harder to put into a single category. It takes sounds from many styles, like the catchy melodies of pop, the roughness of rock, and the rhythm of hip-hop, to make a unique sound.
His earlier track “Back Home” made waves on MTV and rock radio, showing his comfort in that space, but “Breaking Hearts” feels broader, pulling those rock elements into his wider mix.
The production feels clean but retains an edge. The words are clear, letting their emotional heart shine through. You should turn it up loud, sing along with all your heart, and maybe even use it as the music to your own escape from whatever is holding you back.
It does not feel preachy and instead gives people a way to let off steam. Many people can relate to the need to take a break and breathe. It is not so much about giving advice as it is about letting your feelings be known.
What lingers after the track finishes? It’s that sense of defiant liberation. Not angry, necessarily, but resolute. Like someone walking away from a fire, not looking back.
After ten years of working as an artist, Stephen Thomas seems to have found a new sound that is both professionally aware and driven by his own feelings. That is not all “Breaking Hearts” is about; it is also about the strong, sometimes messy starting that comes after.
It makes you wonder what the rest of “The Universal Me” will hold. If this single is any indication, it promises a journey through varied emotional terrains, all unified by Thomas’s distinct voice and perspective. A declaration, indeed.
