The Chicago indie rock group Discus creates a spine-tingling experience with their ethereal and introspective track “O My Stars,” a nostalgic daydream infused with hope, sorrow, and a longing for an era that might never return.
For fans of Varsity, Wild Nothing, Japanese Breakfast
Stream: “O My Stars” – Discus
As far back as I can remember, people around me have often reminisced about the “good ol’ days.” These “days,” frequently referenced in songs by Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, are less about a specific time and more about a sentiment of nostalgia. They represent fading memories—the elusive vision of a lost, irretrievable time filled with youthful exuberance and carefree joy, when life felt brimming with opportunity. You felt invincible, and everything seemed attainable.
We were all young at one time, so theoretically, we all have some version of “good ol’ days” to look back on, whether with fondness or otherwise. But what if you don’t? What if you've spent your entire life waiting, yet the “good ol’ days” never arrived? This is the constant yearning expressed in Discus’ new single: the passage of time, seemingly leaving nothing behind. With their haunting and introspective “O My Stars,” the Chicago band evokes chilling emotions, capturing the essence of hope, sorrow, and a desire for a golden age that might never come.
It’s a profoundly vulnerable and unvarnished exploration of character that compels us to reflect on our own pasts and ponder whether the “good ol’ days” ever existed at all, or if they were merely a figment of our imagination.
To Relate To – Discus
How I love you
My sugar cube
I am growing older all the time
Hold me in your gaze
Growing older all the time
Anticipating my prime
Perhaps it’s only after everything ends
Am I awaiting heaven?
I am overwhelmed
(Oh my stars!)
When I get overly excited
I shut my eyes and seek rest
Atwood Magazine is excited to premiere “O My Stars,” the third and final single from Discus’ upcoming second album, To Relate To (scheduled for release on March 28th, 2025 via Sunroom’s label, SUN-ROM). Following their 2019 debut album Something Has Happened, the band—comprised of brothers Jake and Paul Stolz, bassist Kevin Fairbairn, drummer Nick Konkoli, and vocalist Sarah Clausen—expands their jangly indie rock sound while contemplating the essence of our shared humanity and exploring connections through their music.
“The record is a compilation of these reflections, stemming from the realization that nearly any moment—an accident, a childhood recollection, an empathetic endeavor—can serve as a key to understanding,” the band explains. “The more elaborate the character analysis, the more profound the unexpected truth at its core—and the higher the chance of recognizing one’s own reflection unexpectedly.”
Discus © Clare Byrne
Following their thoughtful singles “On Tour” and “Alignment, Misattributions,” the tender “O My Stars” emerges as a striking and moving piece that inevitably reveals a universal truth. In just over four and a half minutes, Discus adopts a new perspective to explore the purpose of life—and one’s role within it:
Art school altered you
Dyed your hair blue
Father Time
weigh my life
It felt so right
When you were beside me
What remains?
“In ‘O My Stars,’ a mother comes to grips with the reality that her life has slipped away from her,” Jake Stolz shares with Atwood Magazine. “She wonders when, if ever, her moment in the spotlight will arrive.”
“In the past, many of my lyrics have been somewhat ambiguous, which I believe can create a barrier between the songwriter and the audience. I wanted to move away from that with this song. I aimed for the lyrics to be straightforward and emotive, hoping that it would allow the listener to have a personal connection with the track.”
Discus © Clare Byrne
This gentle and soul-stirring composition, “O My Stars,” invokes emotional turmoil within while maintaining its outer calm. However, if you listen closely, the song may trigger a moment of existential questioning for anyone who hears it.
My best advice is to discard the concept of “good ol’ days” entirely and focus primarily on making today—the present—the best it can be. Stream “O My Stars” exclusively on Atwood Magazine, and stay tuned for more from Discus; their second album To Relate To is set for release on March 28th, 2025!
I don’t have much time left
I question where the days have gone
(Oh my stars!)
It seems my kids
Are adopting my habits
(Oh my stars!)
— —
:: Stream/Purchase To Relate
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Chicago indie rock group Discus evokes a sense of chill with their ethereal and somber track “O My Stars,” a nostalgic daydream filled with hope, sorrow, and a longing for a golden era that might never return.