Photo by Caroline Herring
Over the course of an album, an EP, and a number of singles, Pierce Alexander has quickly become known for his unique songwriting and carefully crafted musical arrangements. The Charlestonian songwriter began making a name for himself with performances around the Southeast and admirable reviews for his previous work, including his 2022 album The Minutehand, which Under the Radar Mag said lyrically “traces the beckoning pull of nostalgia, surveying memories of past and present longing.” Yearning for a different music scene and a life in the big city, Alexander moved to Nashville in 2023, where he currently resides. He returns this year with “Stain”, a new single that finds him exploring themes of infidelity. The track was a collaborative musical effort between Alexander and Coco Camp, who also recorded, mixed and produced the song. This release hints at a new era in Alexander’s sound and a larger body of work to come.
Alexander wrote and recorded the demo for “Stain” back in 2020, and it was originally a leading contender for the final set of songs to appear on his debut album, The Minutehand. Though it easily could have made the cut, he felt that the arrangement of the song needed to be honed a bit more and decided to temporarily leave it in the demos folder. After showing the demo to his friend Corey Campbell a couple years later in 2022, the two decided to re-think the arrangement. Campbell also provided instrumental assistance on the track and the result is a profound soundscape of organic and electronic sounds that don’t neatly fit into the mold of any one genre. The lyrics are a window into the life of a new parent unable to recognize the partner they once knew.
“Gorgeous string accompaniments first join the mix, followed by understated percussion and gentle swells of synths, carrying the track into a reflective reverie.”
Under the Radar Magazine
“The string-laden majesty during the ‘won’t you make it up to me?’ chorus endears, meshing chamber-pop sensibilities with a folk-laden intimacy.”
Obscure Sound
“Evokes soft mood lighting, good company and the all important centerpiece of a chorus equating a heart that has no option but to swoon.”
MP3Hugger
“With his breezy voice riding a bed of folk-pop-inspired production throughout, this new one will wash over you and leave you feeling calmed and rejuvenated.”
Mystic Sons
“He wraps us up in melodic silk, which hardens throughout the duration of the song until we’re comfortably confined in an intangible cocoon-like environment, on the brink of metamorphosis.”
Woodchuck
"Alexander weaves gentle vocals against a backdrop of carefully crafted sounds, resulting in an atmosphere that is both muted and moving.”
Extra Chill