Stefan West – Take What You Need (2023)
Licking various flavours of rock within the genre-diverse rocker style, Stefan West takes a tinge of Blink 182 with a dash of The Killers and a slip of Queens of the Stone Age but with his unique twist. While West has been making music for the masses since 2020, this is our introduction to the Australian singer-songwriter. Taking a glance back at previous material, his debut ‘Falling For You’ is an upbeat pop-rock single; however, we’re now looking at something more obscure in ‘Take What You Need’.
The first release since 2020’s The Starlight Sessions, ‘Take What You Need’ is West’s return to the music scene. Collaborating with singer-songwriter Aaron Schembri and producer Chris Gatz, ‘Take What You Need’ blends elements of pop-rock and indie-rock with slight hints of folk-rock flitting in and out. Pounding drums match searing guitars hitting us in the face with a bold burst of sound; however, it is the underlying horns that take my breath away. This obscurity showcases West’s authenticity and innovation.
Taken from his upcoming album Cambridge, West navigates his personal journey of self-discovery and healing in ‘Take What You Need’. Channelling raw emotions, the brutal honesty of this single shines through with profound lyricism executed in haunting vocals. Using real-life experiences to resonate with listeners, and hopefully lift their spirits in the darkest of times, ‘Take What You Need’ exposes West’s “tumultuous turn as he battled addiction, feeling trapped and isolated in the darkness of his struggles…”
The thing is, while a mire of despair travels through the melancholic theme, ‘Take What You Need’ is a song of empowerment. It searches the darker grittiness of life only to shine as a “lifeline to express pain, confusion and triumph over adversity…” Perhaps the horns are the brief glimpses of light pushing us to the light at the end of the tunnel.
For more from Stefan West, check out his official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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