A shattered heart serves as an enduring wellspring of inspiration. For Stinkus, it ignited a fresh wave of creativity, propelling him beyond the confines of commercial music to delve into the depths of his own emotions through his distinctive sound.

Life’s profound moments inevitably leave their mark, urging healing and solace. Music often emerges as the soothing balm to these wounds. So it was for Stinkus, who found solace and direction in his personal project following the dissolution of his engagement. Formerly entrenched in the realm of commercial music, crafting records for film, television, and producing for esteemed acts such as Smallpools, The Mowgli’s, Timothy Edward Carpenter, Jon Bryant, among others, will unveil his debut and deeply introspective album “23” on April 5th.

photo by @stinkusquinkus

This new record is a collection of raw, sometimes almost demo-like recordings, characterized by gritty grunge undertones. However, even amidst this rawness, Stinkus’s signature touch shines through, his music elevated by crystal-clear commercial production, exuding an irresistible charm and allure. I managed to listen to the album “23” exclusively before its official release, and I can assure you that it will lead to a reassessment of your perceptions of contemporary music. Moreover, the record sounds extremely relevant! Firstly, it delves into deep emotions through rough sound, powerful choirs, and harmonies. Secondly, each composition is unique and unlike the previous one. They seem to reflect different states of mind, feelings, and emotions — from love to hate, from despair to freedom. All of this will be presented in Stinkus’ upcoming album. However, let’s consider this step by step. Stinkus has already released three singles that fully reflect the atmosphere of the album. But I would like to reveal even more than is already known.

The album kicks off with the track “I Am,” simultaneously one of the main singles from the album. It feels like an introduction to the character, with its resonant, almost hip-hop lo-fi sound, soft drums, and synth keys. I love how Stinkus’s vocals complement the atmosphere, making the track an ideal representation of the dream pop genre. Meanwhile, the intoxicating mix of grungy guitars and what seems like ’80s vocals in the track “Rodeo Mary” completely disrupts the established atmosphere, offering a sense of liberation and freedom. In the track “23,” we continue to enjoy the lightness, with a vibe of carefree happiness and personal worldview.

photo by @stinkusquinkus

Despite the seemingly raw sound, each track sounds amazing, and the light indie roughness only adds to its uniqueness. However, not all tracks on the album sound similar. In “Not Like Dying,” there’s an incredibly commercial vocal, a resonant beat, light keys, and impeccable rhythm, creating the sensation that it’s a chart-topping track from the get-go, while “FOLLOW” descends into a abyss of grungy guitars and overloaded sound, with experimental and minor harmonies. As the album progresses, there’s a boiling point reached beyond the carefree, smoky tracks, and towards the end, a rocking grunge flame ignites. There’s a conceptual shift in mood throughout the album.

After this point, the sound completely shifts into unexpected synth keys and memorable vocals, as in “Something to Eat,” or grabs you with the utterly demo sound of the track “Mollie.” I’m thrilled by this track because of its purity, freedom, and the “homely” sound of guitars, as well as the flawless vocals with plenty of harmonies. Absolutely impeccable! The final track “Mollie” hints at the freedom that has solidified in the heart. You’ll hear an intimate performance, a completely chamber song with sprinkles of ambient sounds and a secret ingredient that will hook you the moment you hear it. I’m absolutely delighted, and you know, this album is incredibly warm, light, reimagined, and liberating. Despite all the troubles and worries, the world will still be illuminated by the sun, and it will be filled with the songs of birds. Flawless work!

This album promises to be a real kick in the ass to your mundane sound. From the raucous energy of “Rodeo Mary” to the melancholic charm of “Mollie” – each track here is like a boot to the rear, awakening new feelings within you.

My conclusion? Don’t miss out. While there’s still time before the release, I recommend checking out the already released singles and marking your calendars for April 5th – the day when “23” drops in full. It’s going to be a real eye-opener: you’ll encounter something unique and captivating, a true gift to all indie music lovers. Be prepared, because after this album, let’s just say, your musical tastes will be reevaluated, and they’ll never be the same again.

*This review was made possible by SubmitHub