“Three. Two. One.” Album Review — Lennon Stella offers a fresh take on nostalgia and navigating relationships in her new album.

Starting out as one of the child stars on the show “Nashville,” Lennon Stella has done nothing but further develop her singing abilities since the show ended in 2018. After releasing an EP in 2019, she recently released her debut album on April 24, 2020. 

“Three. Two. One.” is fresh, personal and wide-ranged, offering songs to help you get over your breakup, pump you up, put you in a good mood or wallow over childhood nostalgia. 

The album has 13 songs with a unique pop rock sound but also features slower, somber songs. Songs like “Goodnight” and “Weakness (Huey Lewis)” provide sentimental tones, replicated well in the music — yet the songs are far from boring as they contain either a strong drum beat or powerful vocals and harmonies. 

I related well to the track titled “Older Than I Am.” Stella illustrates the feeling of growing up sooner than you should and losing your innocence. Stella’s talent for creating emotional lyrics makes the listening experience incredibly liberating.

“Much Too Much” is catchy, audibly pleasing and a great listen about feeling doubtful and needing reassurance in a relationship and wondering if you’re enough for your significant other, or too much. It may sound relatively pop-y, but there’s an important distinction between Stella’s songs and whatever track comes on while you’re flipping through radio stations in the car. 

Stella has a strong, unique voice but the words truly stick out on their own as they’re not generic and very clever. She has a gift for describing feelings people couldn’t normally put into words — lines like “It’s not love that keeps us together, it’s the fear of being alone,” “It’s not love it’s a power struggle” and “Sometimes I wish I could do something stupid… but I’m older than I am” are all feelings we’ve felt but can’t often vocalize.

I also appreciate seeing innovation — which is what “Bend Over Backwards” exudes. This hypnotic track includes intricate harmonies and vocal effects as well as a catchy, fast-paced beat. In the chorus, vocal effects are layered over her voice, creating an odd, robotic sound. Upon first listen I found it too weird, but it’s turned out to be one of my favorite tracks on the album for its memorable, appealing obscurity. 

She released the singles “Kissing Other People,” “Golf On TV,” “Jealous,” and “Fear of Being Alone” before the album was released. Each song is incredibly strong and immediately appealing, and each captured Stella’s overall sound for the album. It features her harmonic vocals, interesting song themes and clever choices of words and her often, but not overused, incorporation of electronic keyboard sound. 

A recurring theme used in her songs is a strong drum beat and some sort of keyboard, mellotron or synthesizer. Each song is fresh and surprising, yet they all fit in place and relate to the other tracks within the album. Stella also commonly layers backup vocals and harmonies which does wonders to the song’s quality. 

The album also features her younger sister and co-star from “Nashville,” Maisy Stella. Having the same genetics did these two a favor with their similar, angelic voices as they collaborate on the track “Weakness (Huey Lewis).” This song features an audio clip from their childhood from when they were roughly one and four years old — highlighting their close connection over the years. 

Stella has an extremely unique and distinct sound I’ve never heard before and hits so many different aspects of what makes a great artist. Being a lyrical genius, having a croaky, angelic vibrato voice and a fresh take on music and ways to use an electronic sound library, Lennon Stella truly stands out in the music industry.  

No part of the album has a weakness — each track is strong and can stand on its own as a work of art, but Stella is the glue that holds the album together.