Steffaloo is an up-and-coming Los Angeles-based band led by Steph Thompson, a photographer, singer/songwriter, and guitarist. She has been known for her collaborations with bands like Gangplans, Blackbird Blackbird, and Chrome Sparks, but within the past year she has built quite a set of her own original work. Her summer 2011 single "On Fire" marked her entrance as a solo artist but it is this year's full album Would You Stay that confirms her place.
Described as an auteur, every bit of the new album comes from Thompson's soul, her emotions flooding through each track with both comfort and vulnerability. Thompson's voice is like a feminine Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. This is intended as a compliment to both; she has that same calming effect and captures a rhythm that mirrors the rise and fall of each song. The track "Can't You See" describes the mental toll a poor relationship takes and how hard it is to break free of it. The song epitomizes how strong a person's hold can be with its first lyrics: "One word, from you, is one word too many. One look, from your eyes, is one look too deep." This tempo is kept throughout as well as the emotional depth that Thompson explores. Though, the best part of the song comes at the 2:34 mark when the song segues into a clapping/percussion tempo where the lyrics "Can't you see what you do to me" are repeated. It is a unique build-up and keeps the listener on their toes, much like the follow-up track "I'm Sorry" which portrays entirely different sentiments and various instruments.
Steffaloo manages to be folk, electric, pop, and acoustic all in one album. The range of genres reflects a range of emotions, going from confined and sad to happy and wishful. Would You Stay shows us what it is like for a person to fully expose herself to the world, going as far to use her own drawings for the band's merchandise. Steph Thompson is out there for the world to take, and whether you love it or hate it she and her music are hard not to breathe in. Then again, how could you not love it? - Jonk Music |
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