Back in February, Max Frost gifted fans with the Shelby Ave, Pt. 1 EP. The six-track project, which contained hits like “Cig in the Morning” and “Black Hole Love,” was the beginning of a new era for Max. At the time, he explained, “This music represents exactly how I feel about my life at this time. More than ever before, this feels like a new chapter. It’s a philosophical change. Everything is new and on my own terms.” Fans could feel this in the more expressive and authentic style of the songs, with Max finding inspiration in his surroundings.
Away from pressures and negative influences, he found solace on Shelby Avenue in Nashville, which is where he also recorded his upcoming album, Shelby Ave. Due for release on February 21, 2025, Shelby Ave promises to be “a bold and boundary-pushing interpretation of 21st-century music that is both fiery and fascinating,” as mentioned by the press. Undoubtedly, it will build upon the sound that Max’s fans know and love. He offers us a tease of this new project with the release of “Car Stereo.”
On “Car Stereo,” Max navigates the aftermath of a breakup. It was “written the day after a breakup,” as mentioned by Max, so emotions run high throughout the song. Adorned with pop melodies and relaxed guitar strumming that also drives the track along, it takes on an indie rock quality that is only enhanced by Max’s vocals. He stretches and condenses his lines, giving us moments of release and moments of tension – making for an expressive single. In the end, it serves as a parting gift to the other person in the relationship, which we hear in lines like, “So here’s a piece of my soul / You can keep / In your car stereo / Yeah, here’s a piece of my mind / So you know / That it ain’t no lie.”
Telling us more about the inspiration behind Shelby Ave, Max shares,
“I’ve settled down and simplified my life in a way that has made creativity a lot easier. I’ve kept myself busy enough to where music is like a hobby again—even though I get to do it professionally. This is an important place for me to be in. I’ve gotten further away from outside influences or trying to be a part of a scene. I want to remain removed from comparison and competitiveness. I’m just living a simple life, and I’m making music I like.”
Along with the album announcement and the release of “Car Stereo,” Max has also dropped dates for an upcoming tour for 2025. ‘The Road To Shelby Ave’ tour will kick off on February 11 in Atlanta, GA, make its way through cities like Dallas, Boston, and Cleveland, and then conclude in San Francisco on March 7. Tickets and more information can be found here.
You can listen to “Car Stereo” on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and SoundCloud.
Keep up with Max Frost: Instagram // X // Facebook // TikTok // YouTube // Website
