Stray Blue has released a “mini-EP” that links together an acoustic version of their Wake Up & Smile with Moody Sky, a single that features Yoed Nir. Wake Up & Smile is a retro-infused track that takes up rock, reggae, and a bit of electronic music to create something that is absolutely unique. The skill showcased by Stray Blue is stunning, as these disparate elements are finessed into a hooky, catchy effort that will stick with listeners long after the song ceases to play. In fact, there are so many things occurring at any one second of this song that fans should really come on back after the song’s conclusion to see what they have missed. At the end of the day, Wake Up & Smile is a song that could easily work alongside other radio standards by performers as eclectic as Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, Styx, and The Eagles. Sublimely fun, the song is a perfect pathway into the release’s B-side, Moody Sky.
Stray Blue slows things down with Moody Sky, creating a much more contemplative effort. The string work exhibited on this track acts as a stand-in for vocals, creating a rich narrative that will have listeners focused on in. The dynamic that exists between the aforementioned strings, guitars, and bass results in the track being tremendously effecting. Stray Blue has set fans on a journey with Moody Sky, one that feels much greater than the compositions four-minute run time would indicate. While the Wake Up & Smile EP only has two tracks, I feel as if I understand Stray Blue much better than I did before I started the release. I eagerly await further music coming down the pipeline from this act.
Top Track: Wake Up & Smile
Rating: 8.8/10
Stray Blue – “Wake Up & Smile” / 2025 Self Released / 2 Tracks / Domain / Facebook
