Recommended Songs: “Boston,” “Feel Better,” “Something To Lose”
Artists You Might Like: Ella Langley, Cameron Whitcomb, Gabriella Rose
STELLA LEFTY officially takes the next big step in her career with the release of her debut album, Long Way Home. The release follows an exciting year for Stella during which she gained much success, especially from her song “Boston,” which got nominated for Best Country Song at the VMAs along with Stella being nominated for Best New Artist.
The 14-track album features “Boston” along with her singles “Thinking ’bout You,” “I Know I Know” and “Something To Lose,” which is a collaboration with Vincent Mason. Lefty has used her debut album to showcase her talent in various ways.
The album leads with “Lean In, Kiss Me,” which begins with a nervous admission about the possibility of a friendship being elevated to something more. This continues throughout the album, where Lefty finds beauty in the little complications of life and relationships. “Whiskey” and “Thinking bout You,” in particular, have breezy acoustics and catchy melodies.
“Boston” is the indisputable highlight of this collection. It has already established itself as a signature track for Lefty, and in the framework of the entire record, its significance becomes more obvious. Its acoustics and catchy chorus help to reflect the harmony between the country and pop elements that are featured on the whole album. Also, the dilemma expressed in the track—to want freedom but, at the same time, to have someone to stay for—is one of the recurring themes in Long Way Home.
The real power of the album, however, comes out when Lefty leaves behind the carefree romanticism that is so prevalent throughout the songs in the first half. “Forever Guy” injects a little vulnerability into the project, while “Good At Leaving” discusses the problems associated with leaving someone, even if you have been good at doing that all your life.
In “Something To Lose,” Lefty teams up with Vincent Mason to give a beautiful, natural performance that provides an additional angle to the album’s theme of falling in love.
The end of the album brings some of the most fascinating parts yet. “Feel Better” calms things down, bringing the vulnerable Lefty out of the playful character that she was in previous songs. The description of being lost and trying to find yourself is one of the most emotional points on the album, proving that there is more to Lefty than just catchy hooks and summer vibes.
This feeling of endless possibilities is what makes Long Way Home a good debut album for Lefty. There is something about the album that shows the artist is still exploring her own identity. Having 14 songs, Long Way Home is a testimony to the struggles of a young woman learning about relationships, freedom, breaking up and growing up; and its country-pop base combined with conversational songwriting brings out its modern flavor.
Long Way Home may be her introduction as a full-length album artist, but it is by no means her destination. Through catchy tunes, familiar stories, and glimpses of a more vulnerable artist hidden behind the slick production, Lefty proves she has lot in store for her future. Based on this impressive start, there will likely be much to look forward to in what lies ahead.
