Australian singer-songwriter Stella Donnelly has long been known for her unflinching honesty in her music. Her latest album, Love and Fortune, however, marks a departure from the usual confessional style that has defined her work. Instead of writing about romantic heartbreak, Donnelly is tackling the complexities of platonic friendships gone sour.
"I'm trying to protect them – but I've written this record," she admits in an interview. The pain of losing a close friend to rejection and silence was almost too much for her to bear at first. But as she delved into writing songs about the experience, she found herself slowly confronting the emotions she had been avoiding.
The album is a deeply personal exploration of the end of a friendship that was once one of the most significant relationships in Donnelly's life. She writes of letters left unsent, hiding oneself away, and watching as her former friend moved on without her. The songs are both a cathartic release and a painful reminder of what could never be regained.
One of the standout tracks, W.A.L.K, is a poignant expression of self-care and the need to prioritize one's own well-being. "Take back my little life … I set myself on fire for someone else's game," Donnelly sings, a haunting melody underscoring the emotional intensity of her lyrics.
Love and Fortune is not just a personal album, but also a commentary on the lack of language and support available to people dealing with the end of platonic friendships. "There are fewer mirrors in art for coping with the end of platonic bonds," Donnelly observes. Her music provides a vital reflection of this experience, one that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt abandoned or rejected by someone they trusted.
The album's title, Love and Fortune, is a nod to the complexities of human relationships and the fragility of friendships. Donnelly's own journey towards self-discovery and acceptance is both inspiring and deeply relatable.
As she embarks on her latest tour, supporting the album with intimate performances and poignant storytelling, Donnelly reminds us that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is to confront our own vulnerability. Love and Fortune may be a painful record, but it is also one of profound honesty and empathy.
"I'm trying to protect them – but I've written this record," she admits in an interview. The pain of losing a close friend to rejection and silence was almost too much for her to bear at first. But as she delved into writing songs about the experience, she found herself slowly confronting the emotions she had been avoiding.
The album is a deeply personal exploration of the end of a friendship that was once one of the most significant relationships in Donnelly's life. She writes of letters left unsent, hiding oneself away, and watching as her former friend moved on without her. The songs are both a cathartic release and a painful reminder of what could never be regained.
One of the standout tracks, W.A.L.K, is a poignant expression of self-care and the need to prioritize one's own well-being. "Take back my little life … I set myself on fire for someone else's game," Donnelly sings, a haunting melody underscoring the emotional intensity of her lyrics.
Love and Fortune is not just a personal album, but also a commentary on the lack of language and support available to people dealing with the end of platonic friendships. "There are fewer mirrors in art for coping with the end of platonic bonds," Donnelly observes. Her music provides a vital reflection of this experience, one that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt abandoned or rejected by someone they trusted.
The album's title, Love and Fortune, is a nod to the complexities of human relationships and the fragility of friendships. Donnelly's own journey towards self-discovery and acceptance is both inspiring and deeply relatable.
As she embarks on her latest tour, supporting the album with intimate performances and poignant storytelling, Donnelly reminds us that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is to confront our own vulnerability. Love and Fortune may be a painful record, but it is also one of profound honesty and empathy.
she's really taking on some heavy stuff like how hard it is to deal with the end of platonic friendships 
and not get any support or understanding from others...i mean i can relate to that feeling kinda like when you try to talk to your friends about something but they're just gonna be all silent or dismissive 
her song W.A.L.K is so hauntingly beautiful 
it's like she's singing straight to our souls 