Stare Away is a brand new post-punk-inspired outfit that can trace its origins to the amicable breakup of Night Gallery earlier this year: During Night Gallery’s three year run, the band released a handful of singles that gained some attention in the post-punk scene. That led to shows with fellow New Jersey-based bands The Happy Fits, Phoneboy, and The Spins, which they followed up with their full-length debut, last year’s Caught Hiding.
The New Jersey-based newcomers specialize in a sound that attempts to revenge the ties between late 70s post-punk and 80s New Wave. Their latest single “My Cathedral” begins with wailing organ intro before quickly morphing into a Joy Division-inspired bop built around a propulsive bass line, explosive drum crashes, glistening synths, a seemingly disaffected baritone paired with a remarkably catchy hook. While “My Cathedral” wouldn’t sound out of place on the Stranger Things soundtrack, it does possess a subtle modern production sheen that pushes the beloved sound into contemporary territory.