Columbus, Ohio seems to be a hot seat for pushing out creatives when it comes to alternative music, and Stairwell is no exception. Stairwell bursted into the scene with his self titled EP which dropped a last month, and it’s already safe to say it’s unlike anything the underground has been exposed to before.
If I had to describe the EP in a few words I would deduce it to ‘all over the place, in the most masterful way.’ Stairwell labels his music “lovecore” on SoundCloud, and in speaking to him, his self described genre and goal with the EP is “…a cool experiment in style and genre that can kind of like, soundcloud-ify sounds that haven’t really been done before.” The EP’s production is handled in its entirety by SoundCloud mainstay Brody, who is no stranger to experimental and polarizing direction with his sound, and the EP utilizes his dexterity to the fullest. Stairwell delivers his lines with radio hit cadence, but despite that the subject matter still manages to hit home. The lyrical content ranges from love, to relationship indifference, to nostalgic reminiscence. Each track delivered complete with a soft, tonal trill, which is a breath of fresh air from the usual crux of raspy vocals often seen in the alternative / emo scene. The diverse production coupled with Stairwell’s smooth, pop-esque vocals make this project an enjoyable listen for a range of music listeners. It’s unitentional mass apeal gives it its charm.
The five track project opens with the energetic “Give It Up” featuring veteran vocalist yesterday. Stairwell sets the tone for the EP with the first lines of the song:
“Right now she fucking hates my guts //
But I know by tomorrow we’ll be back in love.”
Lyrics detailing a romance gone wrong, where neither party involved wants to ‘give it up,’ a topic Stairwell touches on frequently in the EP. Brody’s use of punchy guitar blends excellently with live drum instrumentation, trap snares, and hi-hats for taste. Yesterday also manages to boast an entrancing vocal performance in transition from Stairwell.
Track two “i make everything about me” slows the EP’s energy to a comfortable waltz, as Stairwell croons an internal struggle of not being able to give enough in a relationship, sowing regretful feelings for selfish actions in his words. Featured on the track is a recent favorite in the underground scene (and stairwell’s roommate) thebreathingbackwards, who manages to flow perfectly off of Stairwell’s hook. Dark, ambient, bassy pads echo the track along with a simple guitar riff to keep the piece cohesive.
Where “i make everything about me” applies the brakes, the only single from the EP “fresh air” hits the gas, set over upbeat guitar with intense percussion as Stairwell sings:
“Make you feel like the first time you ever saw me //
I’ll be the fresh air in your lungs.”
As if a sequel to the downtempo track two, “fresh air” is the bounce back to the lull in this relationship, as the metaphorical two suddenly find themselves fully engulfed in one another yet again.
“Revisiting” opens with somber downtempo guitar, setting an intimate scene as Stairwell laments the loss of his friends, and reminisces on better times. The track picks up with live drums coming in like blaring thunder, as Stairwell chants the repeated “Thinkin’ bout my dead friends, thinking bout the past, wondering why the good times never fucking last.” The EP rounds off with “better for you,” a track completely out of left field in comparison to the rest of the tape, outfitted with pop friendly, staccato synth plucks and a bouncy rhythm. If heard out of context, this track would be thought of as something that would be played on your local pop radio station.
As far as Stairwell’s execution on his goal of “soundcloud-ify[ing] sounds that haven’t really been done before” I’d say he and Brody hit the mark phenomenally. From casual pop listeners to hardcore midwest emo stans, you can find something to appreciate about this project. The EP clocks in at about 15 minutes, and offers something for every mood. This is just the beginning for Stairwell, and we can expect much more from him in the near future. Give the Stairwell EP a listen below.