Album Review: Don’t Cry by StellaR Feat. Lauren Mayhew
If you’re into that moody, head-nodding kind of vibe, Don’t Cry by StellaR Feat. Lauren Mayhew might just slide into your playlist like a smooth sip of whiskey on a rainy night. Released in 2018 under Artist Intelligence Agency and Your Secret, this downtempo electronic gem from the US feels like it was made for those moments when you're stuck between feeling everything and nothing at all.
The title track, “Don’t Cry,” hits hard but soft, if that makes sense. Lauren Mayhew’s vocals float over the beat like smoke curling up from a candle—lightweight yet heavy with emotion. The lyrics? Simple enough to stick, but they dig deep without trying too hard. It’s one of those tracks where you catch yourself humming along even when you didn’t mean to listen closely. There's something raw about how the synths swell around her voice—it’s not perfect, but maybe that’s why it sticks. Like, yeah, we’ve all heard polished pop ballads, but this? This feels real.
Another standout is… well, honestly, there aren’t many other tracks listed here, so let’s focus on what works. And man, does “Don’t Cry” work. Sometimes less is more, right? If I had to nitpick, though, I’d say the production could’ve used another layer or two—something unexpected sneaking in halfway through to keep things fresh. But hey, maybe that’s part of its charm. Minimalist vibes don’t always need bells and whistles to hit home.
What gets me most about this album (or single? Let’s call it an experience) is how unapologetically human it feels. In a world drowning in auto-tuned perfection and algorithm-driven playlists, Don’t Cry reminds us that music doesn’t have to scream to be heard. It whispers instead—and sometimes, that whisper lingers longer than any shout ever could.
Oh, fun fact: listening to this while folding laundry somehow made me cry. No joke. Maybe that’s the point. Or maybe I just hate doing laundry. Either way, props to StellaR and Lauren for making me feel something. Isn’t that what music’s supposed to do?
Final thought: Who knew crying could sound this chill?
