We follow Stay Bless on a trip down musical memory lane to celebrate his new track, “Shadows”.
Who could that cheeky smile possibly belong to? It’s only your favourite alt-popper, Stay Bless. Get excited because Stay Bless aka George Cassavetes, is back and releasing two new tracks on Stay Records (out on the 7th October) and Wonderland is premiering one of them for you right now.
“Shadows” is an airy, feel-good, atmospheric track and centres around George lamenting over the silly mistakes of this generation and past generations, and worrying about their future. He explains, “I spent much time thinking about future generations and wanting to find a way of empowering and enfranchising them. To leave behind what once brought us joy and comfort but now holds us back. To step out from behind the veil of self-imposed or societal shackles in search of some form of freedom and love.” For such a serious subject matter, George waves his pop magic and keeps it perfectly light, enlisting the help of his friend Rio to sing the hook, whose voice adds a booming gospel vibe alongside the track’s celestial runs of synths.
George has worked with many big names on his previous songs, such as Dev Hynes (Blood Orange), Trim and Gabriel Bruce. So if you missed his music the first time we were raving about him, now’s the time to pay attention. In honour of the generation theme behind “Shadows”, we follow George through the ages and you’re all invited. Starting all the way from his childhood, up until now, we chart George’s musical tastes throughout the ages. Adorable AND informative.
1989 – Casio Keyboard Presets, Poddington Peas Theme, The Racoons Theme, The Rescue Rangers Theme, Kylie Minogue
1991- 1995 – Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Lee Hazlewood, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Vangelis, Michael Jackson, Gipsy Kings, Harold Faltermeyer
1996 – Paul Simon, Simply Red, Stevie Wonder, John Martyn, The Bodyguard OST, Spice Girls, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Dire Straits, Chris Isaak, Hanson, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young
1999- 2002 – The Strokes, The White Stripes, Romeo + Juliet OST, D’Angelo, Boyz II Men, Luther Vandross, Genesis, David Bowie, The Doors, Prince, Dr.Dre, Pink, Meat Loaf, Johnny Cash, Eminem, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Nirvana, Howard Shore
2003- 2006 – Prince, 2Pac, Aaliyah, OutKast, Lauryn Hill, Destiny’s Child, Missy Elliott, Clipse, Joanna Newsom, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Fiona Apple, The Knife, Antony and the Johnsons, The Very Best, TV on the Radio, Fleet Foxes
2009 – Sunn, Mastadon, Earth, Sleep, Lil Wayne, Waka Flocka Flame, Current 93, OM, Black Sabbath, Ariel Pink, Wolves In The Throne Room, Burzum, Zomby, These New Puritans
2010- 2011 – Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, Kanye West, Drake, The Durutti Column, Shabazz Palaces, Actress, Aphex Twin, DJ Rashad, RP Boo, DJ Nate, DJ Spinn, Traxman, Clams Casino
2012 – AraabMuzik, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Arca, The-Dream, Burial, The Blue Nile, Tinariwen, Erykah Badu, Schoolboy Q, Scott Walker, Dawn Richard
2013 – The War On Drugs, Vybz Cartel, Skepta, Trim, Robbie Basho, Alice Coltrane, Talk Talk, Curtis Mayfield, Sly & The Family Stone, Earl Sweatshirt, Torn Hawk
2014 – Popcaan, YG, Ty Dolla Sign, Big Sean, Chinx, Doug Hream Blunt, Future, Young Thug, Jam City, Deafheaven, Kamasi Washington, Vince Staples, Kevin Gates, Isaiah Rashad, Skepta
