Our Theme of the Week: New Beginnings

For our first-ever edition of StereoStack we decided to go with the theme of beginnings! Whether they’re falling in love, starting a new chapter in an old location, or returning from hiatus, these songs are the best and brightest tracks to soundtrack your new year.

7. “Time’s Up” by Kacy Hill and 6LACK

You can never know what to expect from Kacy Hill. Sometimes her angelic tones are soothing, other times her words offer heartbreak. More often than not, it’s both. Her music is especially transcendent in her collaborations — and this one is no exception. On “Time’s Up”, Hill and fellow artist, 6LACK, unite their soulful energy to perfectly encapsulate the feelings that arise when you fall in love with someone who is just not ready to take that next step…yet. This one might be about patiently waiting for someone, but I wouldn’t delay listening to this track.

6. “Disbelief” by Tommy LeFroy

Tessa Mouzourakis and Wynter Bethel, the duo behind Tommy LeFroy, create harmonizing melodies that not only compliment but expand each song into new worlds or ethereal planes. “Disbelief” will transport you to new galaxies in just a little under two minutes — a meditative odyssey through sadness and the constant fight to keep it at bay. With lyrics like, “Sometimes as an exercise I think everything is gonna be alright/Sometimes I can hang my disbelief with the sheets on the laundry line, leave it out overnight to dry/Sometimes,” this one just might make it to the top of your seasonal depression playlist.

5. “Always Forever” by MyKey

Is your New Year’s resolution to fall in love? Okay, well even if you are planning to never talk to anyone ever again, you will not be able to deny that the idea of a little bug living in MyKey’s guitar helping him write love songs for his partner is cute AF. Luckily this soothing track by the talented singer-songwriter did not make me re-download the dating apps, but it did make me peruse many ant costumes and mini guitars online for my dog. So I feel like that’s a pretty solid review and I’ll let you take it from here.

4.“De Guerre” by Spill Tab

Would you believe me if I told you that my on-and-off relationship with Duolingo helped me understand this absolute French banger by Spill Tab? Well, you shouldn’t. But you know what? I didn’t need to know what was being said to know that this song slaps. “De Guerre” or “Of War” (uhhh marry me Google Translate) begins machine-like, an almost perfect sonic representation of rage, but half way through opens up into a melodic rollercoaster reminiscent of Brat summer. Perhaps all is not lost in this war that Spill Tab is describing for us.

3. “T&A” by Blondshell

This is probably not the first time you have heard of Blondshell or the lyrical magician that is Sabrina Teitlebaum. But, if by chance, it is, then it’s fortunate that her newest release, “T&A”, is a perfect place to start. Teitlebaum’s special skill lies in writing words that on paper seem like they could never work in a song, but before you know it, she has spun them into scream-along poetry. “T&A” is an all too familiar ode to falling in love with a friend when you know it won’t work, when you know they’re no good, or both. And while this track is classic Blondshell — a beautiful, abrasive, physical manifestation of female rage — if you listen closely enough you might just hear the truth: Behind this very angry woman, is just a girl. In the chorus she wails, “Letting him in why don’t the good ones love me?/Watching him fall watching him go right in front of me.” Blondshell drops her sophomore album, If You Wanted a Picture, on May 5th.

2. “Back in Town” by Annie DiRusso

Annie DiRusso wants you to know that when you’re back…you’re back. Okay? DiRusso paired her release of “Back In Town” with an announcement of her forthcoming debut album, Super Pedestrian, and if this single is any kind of reflection of the upcoming LP, we are in for a real treat. The catchiest song of this week’s bunch, “Back In Town” is a Y2K rock masterpiece that tells the tale of that one long-distance situationship, and your devotion when they come back around. Sure. You “don’t know what I’m talking about”. Okay, girl. Super Pedestrian drops March 7th.

1. “Bovine Excision” by Samia

After two long years of waiting, Samia has finally returned. “Bovine Excision” is a beautiful introduction to her forthcoming third album, Bloodless, and a masterclass in advanced lyricism. While Samia did not explain the meaning behind her newest single or upcoming release on social media, her SubStack gives us a few hints that make us believe in the magic of songwriting. She says in a post from July 14th, “[This album is] about men and how a set of imagined criteria I sought to meet on their behalf created my identity…God and men provide some aspect of relief here in that they will make choices for you.” If Samia’s ruminations don’t make you obsessed, I guarantee her soaring vocals will. Bloodless drops on April 25th. (I am counting down the days.)