One that stuck
I first heard STAMINA by EVAN GIIA about two years ago after Apple Music recommended it to me. Plenty of albums come my way like that. I listen once or twice, save a couple of songs, and eventually move on. This one stayed.
It has been a constant go-to ever since. I play it most often while driving or when I need some energy, but it does not belong to one particular setting or mood. I can put it on without thinking much about what I want to hear and know it is going to work.
Why I keep returning to it
Upbeat, encouraging, supportive, and inclusive are the words that always come to mind when I listen to STAMINA, and I love that about it. It has energy, but the energy feels like it is being directed toward something. The album does not just sound good. It feels good to spend time with.
That combination is probably why it has lasted for me. Sometimes I return for the momentum, sometimes for the encouragement, and sometimes because it is simply one of those albums that works from beginning to end. Most of the time, it is all of those things together.
There is not one song tied to a specific memory or moment for me. I enjoy the album as a whole, which may be part of the reason I have never worn it out. It has become familiar without losing the feeling that made me like it in the first place.
Half the album
If I had to name my favorite tracks, I would start with:
- SOMETIMES I NEED TO YELL
- BOYS NAME
- ANXIETY KILLS
- HALO (ROSE GOLD)
- MUD MELODIES
That is half of the album, which is not especially helpful as a favorites list. It is honest, though. The whole thing is great.
I also love the album cover. The colored ribbon running down the side, the shades she is wearing, and what I think is a sunrise all fit the feeling of the music. It is bright, distinctive, and immediately recognizable.
Still returning
Nearly two years later, STAMINA is still one of the easiest albums for me to return to. I am looking forward to hearing whatever EVAN GIIA does next.