"I love you, trackstar": Stinkus taps into emotional volatility for a free-spirited album

Atypical yet familiar. Disjointed yet cohesive: Antithetical as they may sound together, starkly contrasting qualities can indeed be unified in music. That is the sonic M.O. followed by Stinkus on I love you, trackstar. The album bashes musical tropes and boldly alternates in its temperament, mirroring the unpredictable reality of coping with multiple emotions at once.

On a specific day in Michigan, Tyler Thompson (a.k.a. Stinkus) secluded himself in a rented cabin and let ideas flow freely— resulting in his newest album. Working as a songwriter and producer in the buzzing industry of LA, he has acquired artistic credibility over the years and ended up working with leading figures like girlhouse, WILD, Khatumu, and more. Though affected by OCD and Bipolar disorder, Tyler's creative approach isn't marred but rather made distinctive because of its variability. Paired with an eclectic taste in music (sourcing his inspiration from the likes of Pinegrove and MJ Lenderman), his budding and independently released discography has already spurred widespread traction from the online community. Also unbothered by switching genre lanes, Stinkus rides the broad, against-the-grain indie rock route— falling anywhere from lo-fi rock to midwest emo (showcased on his debut album "23" as well).

On the doorstep of the album, "Plastic Blue" commences the show with warm, fuzzed-out guitar tones and dusty percussion, as excited vocal snippets nearly overlap the dejected voice. Jangling chords and clicky drums mingle in the soft-hearted "Falling in Love," a collaboration with Ocean LeClair that shines with the harmonizing duet. "Casino" effortlessly slips into towering, atmosphere-heavy sequences of shoegaze-y choruses; adjoining "Curiously Intent (underdog)" doubles down on the grit— dense guitars follow the acoustic ones in a soaring crescendo. The titular "I love you, trackstar" employs an electronic soundset without rejecting the album's raw signature, a slinking beat in congruence with the self-deprecating yet playful songwriting.

"Holy Virgin" is another notable inclusion, recalling the post-punk era alternative/college rock sound (think the Cocteau Twins and The Smiths), manifesting as iridescent guitars and weary vocals afflicted by solitude. Aberration recurs in the second synergy "take what you want" (featuring Iophiile), dominated by a vigorous breakbeat and scratchy 90s grunge and industrial rock influences— winding down into nothing but whispers and a faint melody. Approaching conclusion (marked by the socially anxious but breezy "Coming To An End"), "Maggie My Dog" resembles a lighthearted tune crafted with explosive, uplifting choruses; its placement in the closing minutes of this LP is satisfyingly feel-good.

Stream I love you, trackstar on Spotify, and stay tuned to Stinkus on Instagram and TikTok.