Stefan West Strikes Emotional Chords with ‘Happily Ever After’
Hailing from Geelong, Australia, Stefan West blends indie, pop, punk, and folk rock, and aims to explore the human experience through unique songwriting. Influenced by Angels & Airwaves, blink-182, Powderfinger, and Joe Pug, Stefan’s goal is to provoke curiosity and connect with others through music.
Having already amassed an impressive 21k streams with his August 2023 release, ‘Take What You Need,’ Stefan is hoping for continued success with his latest single, ‘Happily Ever After.’
The track kicks off with a strong drum beat, reminiscent of early Motown classics, that leads us into the verse before strategically dropping out to add definition and intimacy to the first run through of the chorus. Warm acoustic guitars support the narrative, providing a consistent backdrop.
In the second verse, the build intensifies, leading to a chorus that doesn’t let up. Instead, it keeps the drums and adds a harmony vocal and electric guitar, amplifying the impact. Then, there is a skilful guitar solo, a doubled chorus featuring new lyrics and a momentary breather before concluding the track with a guitar-led outro.
The song’s subject reflects on growing up and the fears of how a relationship may falter over time, expressed perfectly through Stefan’s straightforward yet effective lyrics:
If we could stay this young forever,
Maybe we could live happily every after.
If you keep that sparkle in your eye,
Then maybe we could keep this all alive.
Happily Ever After
Stefan describes the creative process behind the song as “a beautiful mesh of a really intense moment I had never experienced before, accompanied by a train of thought that felt incredibly freeing, painted into a new world in my mind.”
Stefan’s warm vocal and emotive delivery throughout engages the listener, and Chris Gatz’s clever production techniques keep the 4.5-minute track feeling concise. ‘Happily Ever After’ is radio-friendly, emotionally charged, and well-produced, making it a track that you’ll become more attached to with each listen.
In short, Stefan West’s latest track explores universal fears, seamlessly marrying the theme with powerful and effective production.
‘Happily Ever After’ is taken from Stefan’s upcoming album, ‘Cambridge,’ which is a raw exploration of his journey from the depths of addiction to redemption. Through authentic and vulnerable songwriting, the album unveils Stefan’s battle with demons and the solace he finds in music. Set for an April 2024 release, ‘Cambridge’ promises an intimate portrayal of recovery and self-discovery.
Stefan is an artist worth keeping tabs on. Don’t miss out—stay connected with his latest updates on social media:
Website / Facebook / Instagram / Spotify / Apple
