Stella and The Very Messed’s Big Familiar is a warm, approachable pop-rock album that leans into sweet melodies, playful riffs, and reflective lyrics. It’s a bit more chill than the riotous punk and riot-grrrl energy I usually gravitate towards, but there’s a comforting charm here that rewards slow, attentive listening.
Hailing from Austin, Texas, Stella and The Very Messed have built a reputation for combining thoughtful storytelling with melodic, hook-filled instrumentation. The band’s sound sits somewhere between nostalgic 80s pop-rock and contemporary indie, with Stella’s vocals always at the heart — soft, expressive, and quietly compelling.
The album opens with the title track, “Big Familiar”, where Stella’s vocals explore the tentative stages of a relationship: “We’re strangers for another month, strangers for another month.” It’s gentle and introspective, setting the tone for a record that feels personal and relatable.
Tracks like “Constable Garza is Bad at His Job” bring a little more energy, with a livened-up pop-rock riff that appears at just the right moments, keeping things fresh and engaging. “Lack of Secrets” and “Are We There Yet?” lean into 80s vibes, wrapping the listener in nostalgia while maintaining the band’s own distinctive, melodic voice.
One standout is “Not Dynamite”, my personal favourite, which balances 80s pop-rock textures with catchy hooks, playful guitar lines, and layered vocals — it’s the perfect example of the band’s knack for making music that’s accessible without feeling flat. Other tracks like “Soothsayer” and “Crystal Ball” showcase Stella and The Very Messed’s ability to craft songs that are both melodic and emotionally resonant, even on repeat listens.
What’s particularly nice about Big Familiar is how the band balances chill, reflective tracks with moments of brightness and energy. It’s a record that invites you to lean back, listen, and absorb — a different kind of joy than the adrenaline-fuelled chaos of a punk record, but joy nonetheless.
Stella and The Very Messed may not be tearing up stages with fist-pumping anthems, but they’re creating music that is approachable, heartfelt, and quietly confident. For fans of melodic indie pop-rock, or anyone in the mood for something gentle but satisfying, Big Familiar is a soothing, enjoyable listen — a reminder that not every great record has to yell to be heard.
Big Familiar is out now and you can get it here
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Review by Hayley Foster da Silva
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