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STAHR
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Things that seem like all-consuming headlines in your life tend to become footnotes in hindsight. It’s this hindsight that has allowed Meanjin/Brissie-based duo STAHR to create their debut EP ‘BLIP', a foray into high octane pop/rock, with observant lyricism and a healthy dash of glamour.
Each track from this debut EP draws from personal experiences, including the disruptions, ego spikes, emotional swings, and internal reckonings that, at the time, felt monumental. 'BLIP' questions how something so fleeting can hold such weight, and how perspective reshapes meaning over time. If these moments are just blips, they are loud ones.
“BLIP is defined as ‘an unexpected, minor and typically temporary deviation from a general trend’,” the band says, quoting the definition of the word that inspired the EP title. They note that the choice carries a deliberate sense of irony. “Some moments in life may seem insignificant in hindsight, but when you are living through them they rarely feel minor. They feel consuming. Ominous. World-shifting. What later becomes a footnote once felt like the headline.”
The EP opens with the single ‘Mother Aura’, which is an explosive start to the five-track record. Loud, distorted guitar riffs and punchy drums open the track, before Grace Harris comes in with her signature bored, conversational delivery. This is purely a facade though, as the vocals amp up and soar into the chorus, telling the story of a wild night out.
‘Loving Friend’ showcases the vocals of guitarist Sam Syrah and a grinding, pulsing beat. The layered harmonies add to the wall of sound, without taking away from the subtle, shimmering finger-picked guitar melodies. ‘Isn’t It Fun’ is a clever social commentary on making moves from behind your phone, with the ironic refrain "Isn’t it fun?" repeated over and over again, driving the concept home.
‘Be The Light’ exemplifies the dynamic ability of the duo; a cold, bittersweet lullaby creates contrast on the record, a downtempo ballad that breaks up the frenetic energy of the rest of the record, whilst still being an anthemic wall of sound. EP closer ‘Yours Tonight’ is a love letter to the thoughts of an artist, wrapped up in a chaotic rock ball of energy, grungy guitars, and deliberate vocals.
More than just a blip on the radar, STAHR are a sparkling example of dynamic musicality and sagacious and observant lyricism. Glamorous, loud and knowingly tongue-in-cheek, the EP marks an assured first chapter for the Meanjin duo.
Catch STAHR supporting their EP release in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast through April and May. Details below.
'BLIP' East Coast Tour
