Written by Shea Roney

Starcharm, the Chicago-based recording project of Elena Buenrostro, (previously of Soft and Dumb fame), have been making a name for themselves within the Chicago show circuit for some time now. Accompanied by Jasmin Feliciano (bass) and Amaya Peña (drums), the trio have crafted a calloused, yet anthemic sound that rips through any of the sweaty and beloved spaces that they occupy. Today, Starcharm return with “Wake Up”, the second single shared since signing to Fire Talk Record’s imprint label, Angel Tapes.

Right off the bat, “Wake Up” is built upon repetition, as Buenrostro’s words become temptatious over ticking tempos and glazed guitars; the track building with anxious anticipation but never feigning ignorance of what may lie ahead of this sonic daze. Following their previous single “The Color Clear”, a song that revels in the excitement of the band’s newfound successes, Buenrostro now grapples with the pressures of maintaining voice and clarity in the name of creativity and self-expression. “Wake up, wake up, wake up / Pay attention / Rockstars they never make in heaven,” she sings, her voice wrapped in contention while the weight of each phrase holds its own amongst the flood of sludgy guitars, wavering melodies and idiosyncratic percussion. And at the center of this spacious display, what feels like a distant worry now becoming larger as the gap closes, Starcharm is unwilling to let up, digging and digging further into embedded reluctance just to see what may be on the other side. 

The release of “Walk Up” is also accompanied by a music video made by Amaya Peña.

This Friday, January 30th, Starcharm will perform as part of Tomorrow Never Knows Festival at Schubas Tavern for an Angel Tapes Showcase. Alongside Chicago peers Immaterialize and ira glass, Starcharm will also be joined by their coastal labelmates Jawdropped and Retail Drugs. Tickets are on sale now and available here.