Burgeoning artist Stella Bridie arrives today with her debut EP, Speaking Terms, a storied take on relationship-altering conversations. LISTEN HERE.

What if you had one moment left to tell your story? Stella Bridie’s EP debut excavates that impetus, arriving as a songwriter with conviction. Confident with every move, deeply intentional, indebted to having the final word, Speaking Terms calls on perspective – moments of pain are inevitable, but they don’t have to ruin your life. In contrast to the handful of singles to her name before this year, Bridie faces fear with humour and stoicism to address the inner and external uglies that hinder.

Of the creative process, Stella explains, “Writing this EP felt like hammering in nails, in the best way. Every word felt final, every choice carried weight. Making it with Gab Strum, and a whole host of collaborators I respect and love, was such a special experience because even the most vulnerable moments felt safe and insulated. There are so many conversations we never get to have, or times when we can’t make people understand us, but with songwriting, you can play out those narratives on your own terms – and then hopefully put them away.”

Illustrating the breadth of her influences from Shirley Jackson’s gothic fiction to The Japanese House and Indigo De Souza, Speaking Terms is flagrantly frank – not to be confused as begrudging. Stella digs deep to find the guts that transform one’s personhood through four potent and primal tracks. With the triple j playlisted ‘He Didn’t Mean It’ and previously released ‘Organ Donor’ comes ‘Headlights’; where the green herring reveals its inconceivable self – your husband has been the killer all along – and today’s focus ‘6 Foot Drop’, the ultimate manifestation of strength, relief and empowerment in walking away.

“Writing 6 Foot Drop felt like sucking in air after holding your breath for too long,” Stella continues. “Both painful and hopeful. I didn’t think it was particularly special until I played it for my friends in a rehearsal room a few days before a gig; they had such strong reactions to it that I kept in the barrel for when Gab and I started working on the EP. Now it’s one of my favourite songs to play live, even though it’s the hardest to get through.”

A cogent musician and creative across forms, Stella Bridie writes for the long walk home from the party where mind games dance. Balancing the catharsis of indie rock with etchings of pop-impulses – think boygenius crossed with Ethel Cain – she conceptualises disillusionment with gripping imagery. Her seemingly simplistic turn of phrase sung with visceral and affecting intent to praise across triple j and Unearthed, Rolling Stone, NME, Ones To Watch, Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Apple Music’s New Music Daily, Heaps Local, Antidote; a stand out BIGSOUND debut and supports for Telenova and Lola Scott. Believe the reviews: “such a star” (Abby Butler), “the sort of compelling storyteller who REALLY forces you to hear every word she’s saying” (Lauren Guerrera), “the type of track that will put an emerging artist on the map” (Dave Ruby Howe) – Stella Bridie’s music leaves a lasting mark.