Stephen Sanchez Says His 'Angel Face' Album 'Presented Itself' to Him as a Tale of Love and Murder (Exclusive)

The "Until I Found You" musician tells PEOPLE about taking listeners into the "world of the Troubadour Sanchez" on his elaborate concept album

Few artists make the bold move releasing an intricate concept album as their debut, but for Stephen Sanchez, it felt natural.

The 20-year-old singer-songwriter released Angel Face on Friday, a collection of songs written from the fictional perspective of the Troubadour Sanchez, an Elvis-era crooner who finds himself in a dangerous love triangle with a tragic ending.

"This whole record is a story surrounding the Troubadour Sanchez, his secret love with Evangeline and her trying to escape her boyfriend, Hunter, by running off and leaving L.A. forever with the Troubadour," Sanchez explains to PEOPLE of the '50s- and '60s-inspired album, "until their love is put to a stop after Hunter kills the Troubadour upon finding out about their romance."

Related: Stephen Sanchez Reveals Lyric Swap at Sofia Richie’s Wedding That Sparked 'Wardrobe Malfunction'

Angel Face's conception began with 2021's "Until I Found You," a romantic ballad written about Sanchez's real-life romance with ex-girlfriend Georgia. Since its release, the song has since been streamed billions of times, gone viral on TikTok and become certified three-times platinum.

He's performed "Until I Found You" all over the world, including with Elton John at Glastonbury as well as at Sofia Richie and Elliott Grange's wedding, soundtracking the start of the rest of the couple's life together. The actual relationship behind the song, however, ended before it came out.

"I wish [Georgia] the best, and I think she wishes me the best too. We're both living our lives," says Sanchez, who's since found new meaning in the song. "I feel like it's about the people's stories this record is soundtracking, and I think that that's more important than what it was about originally."

Part of the musician's reasoning for crafting a fictional narrative behind Angel Face is so he doesn't have to let listeners in on his real-life love again after "Until I Found You."

"The only relationship I want people to care about is the one between the Troubadour and Evangeline," declares Sanchez. "As far as my relationship, I think I want to be the only one that thinks about it."

Growing up in El Dorado, California, the performer developed his taste for '50s and '60s music from his two grandfathers — one let him raid his stacked record collection of Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole albums, and the other was a talented guitarist. They inspired Sanchez to start singing at a young age, and he then joined his local gospel choir.

"Then, in high school, I just was having crushes for the first time and didn't really want to sing gospel songs anymore," he says. "I wanted to sing love songs."

After "Until I Found You" blew up, Sanchez started working on Angel Face and wrote several of its songs before thinking up the Troubadour's tale. "It presented itself in that way," he notes.

In context of the album, "Until I Found You" acts as fictional band Stephen Sanchez & The Moon Crests' 1958 hit single, which launches their career. But the record actually takes place in 1964, when the band holds a residency at the Angel Club — "owned by Hunter and his goons," he says.

At first, the story was meant to end with the Troubadour and Evangeline running off into the sunset together, happily in love. Once Sanchez got in the studio with collaborator Ben Schneider of Lord Huron, however, he started feeling like its finale was "lame."

Related: Stephen Sanchez Says Elton John 'Randomly' Interrupted Phone Call: 'Sorry Mom, Elton Was Calling' (Exclusive)

He recalls Schneider telling him, "Devastation is what makes love worth it. It makes the story true. This doesn't sound true." So, they decided the album's narrative should conclude with the Troubadour getting murdered by Hunter with a shot to the chest.

Much of the complex plot has played out in Sanchez's music videos to date, but eagle-eyed fans will learn even more as the album cycle continues. "There are going to be so many little Easter eggs," he teases. "I think it's so exciting that there's somebody beyond just me that they can attach themselves to."

Following his sold-out tour last year, Sanchez will take Angel Face on the road starting next month — but attendees won't see him. They'll see the characters and watch as the blissful romance unfolds through its perilous close.

"I'm going to get shot at the end and do a fight scene," he says of the upcoming concerts. "It's going to be very theatrical, and it's going to feel like you're entering this world of the Troubadour Sanchez."

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