New York’s Been Stellar have unveiled “Always On My Mind,” their most immediate and hook-filled track to date. The single serves as the cornerstone for their newly announced EP, ‘Breakway’, which bundles the band’s three 2024 singles—including the intimate “Adored” and the ferocious title track—alongside a new acoustic version of “Adored.” Released via Dirty Hit on 12” vinyl and cassette, the EP follows a massive year for the quintet that included the release of their brutal debut album, ‘Scream from New York, NY’, and high-profile tours alongside The 1975 and Fontaines DC. Vocalist Sam Slocum notes that the new single explores the “circular logic” of longing, infusing classic pop sensibilities with the tinge of anxiety that has become a hallmark of their gritty, NYC-inspired sound.
The band’s rise has been fueled by a relentless schedule, graduating from early shoegaze roots to a sophisticated blend of Sonic Youth-style dissonance and ‘The Bends’-era Radiohead cool. Working with acclaimed producer Dan Carey, Been Stellar has successfully captured the disaffected spirit of 2020s New York, where human connection feels like a “luxury product.” Having recently made their Primavera debut and performed at major festivals like Green Man and Pukkelpop, the group is currently wrapping up a successful run of UK dates at the Reading and Leeds festivals. ‘Breakway’ stands as both a victory lap for their debut era and a showcase of their expanding sonic palette, cementing their status as essential chroniclers of contemporary youth and the dark heart of modern city life.
