British singer-songwriter Mahalia has made a new start as an independent artist and released the single 'the 5 stages of heartbreak', which covers the five stages of a breakup.

Coming after the dancehall and reggae-inspired 'Luvergirl' period, the song follows the process of a breakup through denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, with Mahalia keeping acoustic guitar as the primary motif along with co-producers bAd entity, Lorenzo Taddei and Gabrielle Stok.

The anger stage includes heavier bass and kicks, the compromise stage includes a bossa nova-style shaking rhythm, the depression stage is filled with performance without lyrics and a jazzy saxophone solo, and the final acceptance stage ends with a trap feel with the lyrics “It is what it is, get up, sis.” The music video starts with a couple's counseling scene and ends with the couple going through a stage of depression where they are left alone and making a new start with a smile.

Mahalia says that the past year has been a time of sadness, heartache, and growth, and that this song is only the beginning of what she will show in the future.