Sometimes the greatest artists are the local gems, and Jersey Shore native Francesca Fuentes is no exception. Driven by her passion for encapsulating the human experience, Fuentes has been singing and writing from a young age, and her new single “Barely Breathin’” was released April 17. If this is any indication of her upcoming album “Promise of Patience,” you better claim your OG tickets.
Inspired by artists such as Taylor Swift, Fuentes officially began her musical journey at 18 years old after attending Monmouth University, an apparent home to a strong music community. Before her career could truly catalyze, she faced a difficult personal and professional split with her producer in 2021, leaving her destitute with an unfinished album. But Fuentes’ story is one about perseverance and vulnerability—she channeled this heartbreak into honing her sound and skill, and in 2025 released her EP “Can’t Hide,” and is currently expecting her debut album to release in October 2026.
“Barely Breathin’” was written in 2021 following the split with her producer, and explores the intense separation, detailing the crushing and suffocating void in the wake of a breakup. The song uses this metaphor literally and figuratively, exploring themes of anxiety, prolonged connection, and uncertainty. It’s the ultimate emotional attachment anthem.
The single opens with a light guitar melody and drums, but the main attraction is her voice. Soothing, velvety, and warm, her voice is undoubtedly incredible. Accompanied by the soft instruments, this bedroom-pop track is extremely intimate and introspective. It’s dream-like, breathy, and makes it impossible to not bop your head along.
The song takes listeners on a journey of understanding, confusion, and anxiety. The track begins with “I keep a guitar at your house/For when you want to ask me to write some songs again,” immediately throwing listeners into the relationship. Soon after, it depicts her rationalization of this emotional journey and the split, “I need to focus on why we need this space and time.”
Fuentes embodies this experience and yearns for connection. She articulates the refusal to accept a breakup, trying to find glimmers of hope and fantasizing about the “what-ifs,” seen as the song details “I left a silk dress in your drawer, in case you want to ask me to spend the night once more.” I think we’re all guilty of leaving a trail of ourselves behind hoping it’ll guide someone home.
This track’s strong suit is the repetition of “Barely Breathin’” throughout, most notably in the repeated lines “I’m barely breathin’/I’m turning blue and I need you to soothe me/I’m barely breathing/I’m barely breathin’ without you.” Fuentes’ lyricism captures the theme of suffocation, both in the absence of this partner, but also in the anxiety that accompanies their vacancy.
The height of the song, and my personal favorite segment, is, “If I run out of air, meet me in heaven where we can see this through/If I run out of breath, if I die a mess, it’s cause I can’t live without you.” This verse comes near the end of the song, and it is the release of the built tension throughout the piece. It is thrilling and, ironically, like a breath of fresh air after the built intensity.
“Barely Breathin’” is incredibly raw and vulnerable. Just like her song “I Wanna Be Your Lover Again,” much of her music doesn’t shy away from intimate lyrics and honesty. Her music makes you feel seen, understood, and details the hardships that many refrain from acknowledging. And while I may feel suffocated when replaying her music, it is for an entirely different reason than hers. Fuentes’ vulnerability has allowed her to not only stitch her wounds but make the threads of connection and community.
Take a deep breath and stream “Barely Breathin” along with the rest of Fuentes work, including her EP “Can’t Hide.” Get prepared to meet your new favorite artist as she’s taking the music industry by storm. You won’t want to miss this!
