Since first nabbing significant attention over a decade ago in the days of Myspace and pop punk ruling the airwaves, Central Coast trio Short Stack went on to nab two certified Platinum records, break up (twice), and ultimately reform and return stronger and hungrier than ever in 2021, signing with UNFD, releasing new material, and lining up a Aussie headline tour. And while the recent release of their first music in over 6 years came in the form of the rollicking track Burn You Down, last week fans also got a glimpse at a softer side of this barreling trio, with an acoustic version Burn You Down dropping into the world, alongside a limited 7" featuring both the original and acoustic versions of the new tune. Causing a stir with industry and fans with their new music, 'Burn You Down' has amassed over 88,000 streams, and saw Short Stack embracing their hardcore roots at last, offering screams and riffs never before heard from the trio. Today's acoustic cut dials down the intensity completely and lets the band's softer side shine.
Short Stack frontman Shaun Diviney explains that thematically, 'Burn You Down' is part a reflection on the breakdown and rebuilding of the band and part observation on the world around them.
"It's about the duality of being young and feeling both indestructible and fragile at the same time...I don’t think the world needs another happy pop song at the moment, because I don’t think the world is a happy place at the moment. This song comes from a place of anger and destruction, about wanting to tear something down and begin again."
On creating its acoustic cousin version, he adds:
“We were blown away with the reception to 'Burn You Down' and it was really exciting for us to completely reimagine the song acoustically for the vinyl release. We produced the track entirely ourselves in Bradie’s home studio and approached it as turning the most aggressive, heaviest song we’ve ever released into something soft and beautiful.”
From beginnings in a Budgewoi garage at 16 to their explosive debut album 'Stack Is The New Black' at just 20, Short Stack quickly made a playground of the Australian landscape and were one of the biggest names in the country by the late '10s. Beyond ascending to #1 on the ARIA Album chart with their debut record, the band claim credits including Channel V's Oz Artist Of The Year (twice), a coveted Rolling Stone Magazine cover, two certified Platinum records and tens of thousands of tickets sold throughout their career.
'Burn You Down' (Acoustic) is out now via UNFD, with the limited 7" available HERE. Stay tuned for more details on the band's upcoming rescheduled Australian headline tour; but in the meantime: go check out the acoustic version of Burn You Down below if you missed it last week!
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BY TIANA SPETER