British singer and songwriter, Faye Fantarrow dies at 21

Washington DC [US]: Faye Fantarrow, a budding British singer-songwriter whose debut EP was created by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, has passed away, Hollywood reporter reported. She was 21 years old.

After receiving a rare glioma brain tumour diagnosis in September 2022, Fantarrow passed away at home on Saturday, according to a statement from her mother, Pam Fantarrow.

Since discovering she had cancer at ages 8 and 13, she has twice battled leukaemia, as per Hollywood Reporter.

Dave Stewart signed Fantarrow, from his hometown of Sunderland, England, and oversaw the release of the seven-song AWOL in February through his label, Bay Street Records. The EP was recorded in the Bahamas.

“I can’t put into words how devastated I was when, just after spending an amazing creative time with Faye last summer making her debut album, Faye found out she had this very aggressive brain tumour,” Stewart said in a statement.

“Faye was a joy to be around, full of fun, laughter and sharp as a razor — a true artist in every sense. Being with her and watching her at work is a diamond stuck in my head, moments I will never forget. I’m lucky to have met Faye and her Mum Pam, two humans together battling against all odds for Faye’s survival.

It has been both traumatic and beautiful to witness their strength and dignity, and I am so sorry the world only got to witness Faye’s genius for such a short time. She is one of the true greats, a northern girl on fire with her lyrics and melodies. I loved her deeply.”

The soulful Fantarrow, who was born on April 28, 2002, was recognised by BBC Music Introducing as ‘One to Watch’ and won the Alan Hull Songwriting Award in 2021, according to Hollywood Reporter.

“Driven by fervent acoustic strumming and a pulsing rhythm, Faye Fantarrow’s AWOL demonstrated the U.K. singer-songwriter’s impressive alt-soul phrasing, which reminds me at times of Alessia Cara and even Adele,” wrote Joe Lynch for Billboard in a review.