Written and recorded over two or three months following a messy breakup and being kicked out of his house, the new Steven Shoelace album is deeply rooted in the DIY ethos that Steven first showcased with Cat Medallion, his debut EP. With this record, he aimed to capture not just songs but feelings, a sonic representation of being “trapped” and confronting life’s instability.
The album’s name and theme come from a simple yet potent metaphor: a garden.
“I wanted it to sound like you were in a stomach that was gonna vomit you out in about 30 minutes,” Steven explains. The result is a soundscape that’s both suffocating and strangely vibrant, juxtaposing moments of beauty with sharp, unexpected discomfort. “Nothing is really stable and nothing is really important,” Steven reflects, encapsulating the uneasy mood of the record.
The songs themselves are like thorns hidden in the lush greenery of a garden—moments of beauty inevitably punctured by pain.
Steven describes it as a glimpse into a space where everything, whether pretty or painful, exists independently of the viewer. “Something you thought you knew was so great was never really known at all,” he says, driving home the album’s existential undertone.
Life’s fleeting certainties, crushed under the weight of a metaphorical ten-ton bus, are a recurring theme, embodying the frustration of growth interrupted by unexpected blows.
Steven hopes listeners feel that sting of almost being “right” while grappling with the frustration of missed opportunities. “That’s my interpretation anyways,” he humbly offers, leaving the door open for individual experiences.
Currently, Steven is working on a vinyl pressing of Garden Snakes, adding a tactile element to its release on streaming platforms. Fans can follow his updates on Instagram.
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In addition to his own work, Steven shared three standout releases that shaped his year.
Stella – Self-Titled EP
“This local band Stella dropped their first EP, and I’m absolutely flabbergasted by the production. I know a couple of the band members from this other project called we are the currency. It’s just been the biggest step up I’ve seen all year. It’s so emotional and feels heavy every listen.”
Uglifier – Various Tracks
“The strangest discovery of all. My friend had been making music under the name Uglifier for the whole year, and I hadn’t found out until I stumbled on their BandLab account. Gotta say, it’s pretty solid stuff. Makes me feel like I’m in a video game world, and I love it when music takes me away like that. Very mechanic.”
26j – Various Tracks
“What else can I say that hasn’t already been said about 26j? Probably the funniest rapper/Instagram influencer I’ve found in a really long time. ‘Think I’m too toxic for the streets.’ The confidence I feel when I listen to 26j is unmatched.”
