Sean Thomas Builds a Pop Cathedral on New Single “BETTER”
There is something undeniably compelling about an artist who does it all. Writing. Producing. Recording. Mixing. That artist is Sean Thomas, and his new single “BETTER,” with the kind of scale and ambition that signals a defining moment.
Thomas is 24, Vancouver-born, and a summa cum laude graduate of Berklee College of Music at just 20. He has collaborated with New Kids on the Block, Debbie Gibson, Joey McIntyre, and New Edition, and built a reputation as a creative force who understands every inch of the studio. On “BETTER,” he channels that experience into something personal and panoramic at the same time.
“I wanted this song to hit like an arena anthem,” Thomas says. His choir background guided the process, leading him to stack more than 100 background vocal layers to achieve the sweeping chorus he heard in his head. The result is a wall of harmony that feels engineered for collective singalongs, hands in the air, lights blazing.
At its core, “BETTER” is a love song that thrives on immediacy. “Oh I’m trying / To hold on forever / Cause when I hold you / Nothing feels better,” Thomas sings, before driving home the hook: “So I’ll keep on chasing / Cause nothing feels better than you.” The lyric is direct, the melody is expansive, and the emotion is unmistakable.
One of the most compelling angles here is authorship. Thomas wrote, produced, recorded and mixed the track himself. In an era where pop records often involve sprawling teams, “BETTER” stands as a singular vision. That autonomy brings a clarity of sound and intent that journalists covering songwriting, production and independent artistry will find especially noteworthy.
The song also marks the first release of 2026 for Thomas, following the strong response to his previous singles “She’s Mine” and “What We Could’ve Been.” Those tracks set the stage; “BETTER” widens it. There are plans for live shows this year, and if the recording is any indication, audiences can expect a performance built for volume and connection.
Sean Thomas is positioning himself at the intersection of craftsmanship and scale. “BETTER” is the sound of an artist embracing both, inviting listeners to step into something bold, melodic and built to last.
Hi, Sean! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers for those not familiar with your music?
Hi! I’m Sean Thomas, I’m a 24 year old singer/songwriter/producer from Vancouver.
You stacked more than 100 background vocal layers on “BETTER.” At what point in the studio did you stop and think, “Okay, this might actually be a pop cathedral”?
I grew up around classical music, and I love adding orchestral elements into contemporary music. With BETTER, the message and lyrics are simple and intimate, so I wanted to contrast that with a huge sound.
You wrote, produced, recorded, and mixed the song yourself. What part of that process excites you the most, and which part keeps you up at 2 a.m. tweaking one tiny detail?
2 a.m is dinnertime for me lol, I’m a night owl! I spend the most time working on the melodic elements of my songs acoustically before I start the production. Once the song feels strong in the stripped-down format, I know all the production elements I hear in my head will enhance the song.
You graduated Berklee at 20 and were already collaborating with artists like New Kids on the Block and Debbie Gibson. What is one lesson from those sessions that still guides you today?
I’ve been so fortunate to collaborate with musical legends. Besides their incredible work ethic, one thing that stands out to me is their dedication to making the best and most authentic music. Even after so many years and all their success in the industry, they still approach the process with a lot of care and intention. Their commitment to staying genuine is something that I carry into my own work.
Your earlier singles set the stage for this release. In what ways does “BETTER” represent the next chapter of who Sean Thomas is as an artist?
I’ve have so many amazing in-studio and live show experiences with other artists recently, but I’ve been missing performing my own music. When writing BETTER, I tailored it to be an interactive sing-along. I excited to share some more upcoming releases that will complement my current music!
I’ve had some amazing studio sessions and live show experiences working with other artists lately, but it’s also made me realize how much I’ve missed performing my own music. When writing BETTER, I wanted it to feel like something people could sing along to, the feeling of connection was a big part of the process. I’m excited to share some upcoming releases that build on the sound of what I’m doing now!