Anna Shoemaker discusses themes of heartbreak, self-discovery, and regaining her independence in her second album, ‘Someone Should Stop Her.’ This album presents an honest and beautiful collection of songs that delve into the journey of learning to trust oneself, letting go, and progressing forward.
In the backseat of her grandfather’s car, navigating Montana’s sprawling roads, Anna Shoemaker reflected on her experiences. Just weeks after a breakup, she was revisiting her pain for either closure or artistic expression. Each memory she revisited and every note of the music she created became a way to confront and reshape her past in real time. This intricate interplay between reflection and artistic rebirth is central to Shoemaker’s moving songwriting. Her music captures a magic that is both intimate and widely relatable. While her debut album encapsulated the tumult of self-destruction and redemption, ‘Someone Should Stop Her’ represents the sound of a person learning to embrace self-trust, uncertainty, and ultimately, progress.
Over the past seven years, Shoemaker has established herself as a songwriter who isn’t afraid to chronicle the messiness of life. Her second album continues this trend, primarily serving as a breakup album that explores the emotional peaks and valleys of heartache, the recurring patterns in relationships, and the strength found in prioritizing oneself. “Breakup and run,” she simply states, embodying a philosophy that resonates throughout every track.
If 2022’s debut album ‘Everything Is Fine, I’m Only on Fire’ was a snapshot of her early 20s, this new album feels like a reckoning with her past and a bold stride into the future. Where she previously released songs without filter, ‘Someone Should Stop Her’ (launched on February 21st through +1 Records) showcases a more thoughtful approach – involving rewrites, edits, and a readiness to sit with emotions before solidifying them in lyrics. It encapsulates the dual nature of heartbreak: the immediate pain and the eventual clarity, the sorrow and the victories.
“With my first album, I didn’t do any rewrites… whatever emerged in the moment was it,” she recalls. This time, she took her time, revising lines and re-recording vocals, demonstrating her evolution as an artist. This meticulousness enhances the emotional truth of the album, illustrating her understanding that storytelling is not merely about the feelings of the moment, but about crafting a narrative that resonates beyond her own life.
Written and recorded over a year, ‘Someone Should Stop Her’ drew from sleepless nights in Nashville, numerous lyrical changes, and a profound desire to achieve a blend of vulnerability and strength. Musically, the album reflects her deep respect for artists who merge raw sentiment with polished storytelling. “I’ve always admired Sheryl Crow,” she notes, pointing to Crow’s effortless combination of grit and melody. The album also draws inspiration from Kacey Musgraves’ ‘Golden Hour’ and the warm, low-fi sound of Alex G. This is evident in the mix of rough, stripped-back tracks like “Horse Girl” and the more polished, layered songs like “Not Your Baby” and “Back Again.” The resulting work feels both expansive and intimate, crafted with care while retaining its emotional intensity. Shoemaker embraces the tension of self-examination, simultaneously aspiring to become the person she wants to be while honoring the version of herself she’s outgrown.
The title ‘Someone Should Stop Her’ carries a sense of irony; in reality, no one is hindering her. “When you make a significant decision, like ending a relationship, you often search for some sort of affirmation,” she explains. “Is someone going to advise me against this? But in the end, no one can make that decision for you; it's essential to rely on yourself.” This realization is fundamental to the album: a transition from looking for outside approval to trusting her own intuition.
The album traverses the emotional landscape of breakups, reconnections, further separations, and ultimately prioritizing oneself. Throughout this journey, she found that her toughest times stemmed from neglecting her own needs. “The moment you start putting yourself first, everything changes.”
Throughout our discussion, Shoemaker speaks openly about her creative journey, facing nostalgia, and the importance of grounding validation internally. She recounts moments of catharsis—such as filming music videos in Montana shortly following her breakup—and the insights gained during the album’s creation. Although born from pain, this project embodies resilience, self-respect, and the realization that no one else is going to dictate your path.
With ‘Someone Should Stop Her,’ Anna Shoemaker is not just creating music; she is making peace with her past, crafting her future, and showing that indeed, no one should stop her.
**A CONVERSATION WITH ANNA SHOEMAKER**
Atwood Magazine: Anna, where do we begin? When we last spoke about your debut album two years ago, you described it
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Anna Shoemaker shares her experiences with heartbreak, self-discovery, and regaining her independence in her second album ‘Someone Should Stop Her.’ This collection of songs is raw, radiant, and introspective, focusing on the journey of learning to trust oneself, release the past, and progress.