On December 17th, Miami-based indie rock band stillblue released “Stick n Poke,” “a reflection on growing up, reminiscing on the things you will inevitably lose in the process, and hoping you can be proud of who you become.” Equal parts Whitney and Pinegrove, “Stick n Poke” sees Enrique Rossell, Sofia Soriano, and Daniel Estrada build atmospheric guitar-scapes over simple drums. The vocals (which are provided by all members) are hauntingly beautiful, and the production on them makes them seem simultaneously distant and near.
While the intro of the track might seem long on the surface, the fact that the band continually introduces new themes and ideas makes the 53 second intro feel incredibly swift. Lyrically, the song is based upon a trip Rossell took to Chicago and New York before giving into adulthood and the feelings he felt as the trip was wrapping up. “A friend offered to give the group [of friends] stick-n-poke tattoos as a token of the time they shared.” Thus spawned the idea of the song.
The lyrics are potent, but the most powerful line has to be “My heart’s not built for two.” Even though the song is about a loss of innocence and youth, this line can be perceived in so many ways that it’s impossible to pin down. That flightiness of the line gives it more power, and I am absolutely in awe at the way it blends in with the instrumental to destroy my emotions.
Check out “Stick n Poke” below, and let us know what you think of stillblue!
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