GUTTED IN THE BEST WAY — “I WAS THERE” BY STRAY FOSSA IS A MASTERPIECE
“I Was There” by Stray Fossa is a dreamy, welcoming track off the band’s third album, “Blossomer.” Their whimsical indie roots mix flawlessly with a light country vibe to create something truly unique.
I can imagine somebody listening to this on a rainy day next to a warm fireplace, looking out and longing for somebody lost. Twilight vibes are present with the guitar tone and melancholic lyrics.
Memory is a theme that persists throughout the song, exploring the fleeting moment of now. The soft, breathy vocals are a perfect compliment to the song. While words are few, the impact they have is incredible. The line, “I’ve got nothing to prove I was there” really touches on the importance of staying in the present and not getting caught up in the busyness of trying to seal every memory. The song carries a nostalgic tune that intertwines flawlessly with the struggle towards mindfulness.
My favorite part of “I Was There” is a little after the second half, where the track slows down a bit and lets the sweet sounds of each instrument live in perfect harmony. I love the homey acoustic guitar strums and the crafted drum fills that follow. The violin comes in with a haunting melody that doubles down on that heartache feeling.
This song leaves me speechless and gutted in the best way. As my eyes tear up and my heart aches, I can feel the tender love put into this song to capture the angst and acceptance of a moment slipping away. “I Was There” is an unskippable song that I will be replaying over and over again.
