With her gentle vocals and sharp songwriting, Bebe Stockwell presents herself as a diaristic songwriter with remarkable clarity, creating vivid snapshots of love, loss, and growing up in her intimate major-label debut EP, ‘Driving Backwards.’
‘Driving Backwards’ EP – Bebe Stockwell
We all have personal stories, and I aimed for this EP to celebrate the beauty of cherishing those memories. It’s about honoring the past without getting trapped in it.
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If a city or season had a sound, then summer in New York would resonate with Bebe Stockwell’s debut EP, Driving Backwards.
Stockwell doesn’t indulge in self-pity throughout the album. If she experiences pain, it’s transient. Released on May 9th through Columbia Records, Driving Backwards was co-produced by Stockwell alongside several collaborators, including Jack Riley, Mona Khoshoi, Jeremy Schmetterer, and Johnny May. The album's sound and lyrics evoke the spirit of ‘70s singer-songwriters like Carly Simon, Don McLean, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Labi Siffre. Stockwell’s voice carries the comforting warmth and familiarity reminiscent of Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux.
Driving Backwards EP – Bebe Stockwell
Born in Boston, Bebe Stockwell began writing songs and playing the piano and guitar at age six. At 15, she attended a 5-week summer program at Berklee School of Music, which deepened her love for music and songwriting and introduced her to various genres, such as jazz, indie, and pop, all of which are incorporated into her work.
Just listen to the opening track, “Minor Inconveniences,” and you will hear a blend of influences, all conveyed through Stockwell’s mature voice, which simultaneously feels distinctly hers and reminiscent of those before her. The song is humorous, tragic, uplifting, and hopeful at once. Stockwell lists her minor annoyances, ranging from a hangover to a one-night stand that won’t go away, concluding with the line, “They say the minor inconveniences are part of the experience of life, And these minor inconveniences are part of the experiences of mine.”
Burnt toast, milk’s bad
Stubbed my toe on the doorstep
My cat’s lost, my keys gone
My neighbor mows at the break of dawn
And they ask me how I’m doing
And I say, “I’m fine”
The record captures a sense of intimacy and warmth, and Stockwell’s writing often feels like a cozy afternoon spent with a close friend in their living room, with soft light playing on the floor and the record spinning in the background.
In the standout track “Ruined,” Stockwell expresses her frustration to an ex about how he has tainted all her favorite activities. The song is brief and akin to a Haiku, delivering a clear message, which is often essential in a breakup song; ‘they’re awful, and here’s why.’
Tube lines, you ruined that
Big Ben, you ruined that
Knew it then, looking back
That I was shrinking in
To make you feel better when
You felt lesser than
On the title track, “Driving Backwards,” Stockwell collaborates with Chance Emerson. This song contrasts a breakup song; it tells a tale of comfort and the process of building a life and love with someone. Their harmonized vocals gracefully intertwine, mirroring the ebb and flow of a nurturing relationship. Its folk-inspired rhythm creates a feel-good atmosphere, making the listener feel joyful. The song encapsulates a lifetime of experiences, reflecting Stockwell’s ability to make significant, overwhelming, sometimes heartbreaking feelings seem manageable, akin to preparing a soothing cup of tea.
It feels like an understatement
Not like the day we made it
Driving backwards
But time laid the first foundations
The rest was imagination
Building upwards
The closing track “Live Forever” truly made me fall in love with the EP and with Stockwell as an artist. It’s a pure love song. Although it’s unrequited, its innocence shines through. There’s no hurt, no mess, no baggage. The mood and arrangement of the song, along with Stockwell’s vocals, remind me of Madeleine Peyroux’s interpretation of Dylan’s “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.”
It’s the way you break your smile
It’s the smell of your hair
It’s the way you pick your sweaters
To match the shoes you wear
It’s the way you say good morning
With a crackle in your tone
Oh, it’s all these little things
That make me love you even more
This summer, Atwood Magazine conversed with Stockwell about the creation of her debut EP, the first song she wrote for the album, how New York City would
With her gentle voice and keen songwriting skills, Bebe Stockwell presents herself as a diaristic artist of exceptional clarity, creating vivid snapshots of love, loss, and the experience of growing up in her personal major-label debut EP, ‘Driving Backwards.’
