A first-pass version of our new song titled "Gaslight" [Recorded Fall '24]

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WxMW is a Midwest Emo acoustic duo blending raw emotion with soft, intricate acoustic melodies. With heart-wrenching lyrics and tender vocals from their female lead singer, WxMW weaves stories of loss, longing, and quiet introspection. Their stripped-back sound is the soundtrack to late-night drives through endless fields, evoking both nostalgia and the bittersweet beauty of the Midwest. This is music for those who find comfort in the melancholy.

WxMW - Gaslight Demo

🌧️ When You're Not Around – Produced by Mr. Flen 🌧️
🎶 Acoustic | Melancholic | Cinematic 🎶

Ever felt that deep emptiness when someone you rely on isn’t around anymore? That heavy, lonely feeling that creeps in when their presence is missing? "When You're Not Around" is a heartfelt acoustic track that dives into exactly that – the emotional weight of absence, the longing for connection, and the quiet moments when you're left alone with your thoughts.

🎙️ Vocals & Lyrics:
This song captures those raw, intimate moments where love and loss intersect. The lyrics are stripped-back and honest, revealing the vulnerability that comes when someone who has always been there suddenly isn’t. It’s about reflecting on what’s missing, both emotionally and physically, and the heartache that follows.

🎸 Instrumentation:
With warm, minimal acoustic guitar, soft piano, and subtle atmospheric effects, "When You're Not Around" combines a singer-songwriter vibe with a cinematic, melancholic edge. The production is intentionally simple, leaving space for the emotions to breathe and resonate. The song’s atmosphere evokes rainy nights, quiet streets, and that deep sense of longing.

Key Themes & Lyrics
💔 Absence and Longing: The lyrics reflect the emotional void that’s left when someone important is no longer by your side.

Sample lyric:
"Silent streets, darkened lights,
Lonely nights, no sound...
Empty heart, heavy sighs,
When you’re not around."

💭 Isolation: Feeling disconnected from the world and unable to find peace without that one person by your side. This theme runs through the verses, capturing the difficulty of moving forward when someone is missing.

Sample lyric:
"Every beat feels less full,
Every step heavy pull...
Every breath small and dull,
When you’re not around."

🖤 Melancholy and Reflection: The track touches on reflection and introspection, making you think about the moments you took for granted and the importance of presence in our lives.



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When You're Not Around

"Just Breathe" is a raw exploration of trauma, survival, and the ongoing journey of healing. Written from the perspective of both a child learning to survive and an adult learning to live again, this acoustic piece traces the path from building walls to slowly letting them decay. With each "just breathe," the song transforms a survival mantra into a reminder of resilience and self-compassion.

Inspired by the power ballads of the 1980s but stripped down to intimate acoustic guitar, "Just Breathe" acknowledges that while some scars may never fully heal, we can learn again how to feel. It's a testament to the human spirit's capacity to survive, heal, and eventually find its way home.

Lyrics:

I know how to silence screams (just breathe)
I know how to hide my dreams (just breathe)
I know how to freeze in time
When shadows cross that sacred line
I know how to leave my mind (just breathe, just breathe)

I know how to face the day (just breathe)
I know how to act okay (just breathe)
I know how to lock away
Each memory until someday
I know how to make it fade (just breathe, just breathe)

But I don't know how to trust again
And I don't know how to feel
When every breath I've ever held
Reminds me this is real

So I breathe through walls of stone
I breathe through years alone
I breathe until these lungs might break
Just trying to make it home
Just trying to make it home

Now I know the years have passed (just breathe)
But these walls, they're built to last (just breathe)
When the panic starts to rise
And darkness floods behind my eyes
I have to remind myself I'm still alive (just breathe, just breathe)

And I'm learning day by day
How to let these walls decay
Though these scars may never heal
I'm learning again how it is to feel

So I breathe through walls of stone
I breathe through years alone
I breathe until these lungs might break
And somehow find my way home
I'm finally finding home

Just Breathe

Music is not just an art form for me—it's a lifeline, a form of therapy that sees me through the highs and lows of life. Each track I create is a piece of my soul, translated into sound. It's in the depths of melodies and rhythms that I find solace, pouring my emotions and experiences into each note as a way to heal and understand myself better. My music is a diary of my journey, a reflection of the inner workings of my mind and heart. When you notice an influx of new tracks, it's a signal that I'm navigating through tougher times, seeking refuge and expression through my music. This direct channel from my innermost thoughts to your ears is what makes my music raw, real, and resonant. So, as you listen, know that you're not just experiencing a song, but a chapter of my life, a moment of catharsis, and a piece of my path to healing. My hope is that it may offer you the same comfort and escape it provides me.

Xak Stahl: Sonic Alchemist and Storyteller Extraordinaire

Xak Stahl is a boundary-pushing artist who transforms life's complexities into captivating musical narratives. His unique sound—a fusion of indie folk, electronic, and alternative influences—creates an immersive experience that resonates with the soul. Each composition is a journey, inviting listeners to explore the depths of human emotion and the heights of musical innovation.

Introducing Zoé Le Fleur: The Voice of Enchantment

Elevating Xak's sonic landscapes is the mesmerizing Zoé Le Fleur. Her voice, a perfect blend of ethereal lightness and raw power, brings an extra dimension to tracks like "Ce qui est juste" and "Heartbeat High." Zoé's performances transform these songs into anthems of the heart, her dynamic range perfectly complementing Xak's intricate compositions.

From Personal Struggle to Universal Resonance

Xak's musical journey is one of transformation and resilience. Early works like 'Neon Dreams' and 'Rising Through the Darkness' showcase his gift for turning personal challenges into universal themes. His latest opus, 'Major Arcana,' is a bold exploration of life's archetypes, with each track inspired by a Tarot card, beginning with the adventurous spirit of 'The Fool.'

A Multifaceted Artistic Vision

Beyond music, Xak is a visual artist and storyteller, weaving rich narratives across multiple mediums. This interdisciplinary approach infuses his music with a depth and complexity that invites repeated listening and deeper exploration.

Join Xak Stahl on a sonic odyssey that challenges perceptions, touches hearts, and celebrates the transformative power of art. Each track is not just a song, but a world waiting to be discovered.

New tracks tagged #EmotionalAcoustic