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Album Trailer Infomercial📀💫🎸📹★

WHAT’S LIFE WITHOUT A LITTLE HEARTBREAK? OUT IN 11 DAYS!! On a scale of 1-10 how excited are we girls🤨 had so much fun making and editing this so pls share it to every person you’ve ever known!!! I LOVE YOU YAY ALBUM

#indieartist #poprock #y2k #infomercial #newmusic

genuinely cannot believe I’m typing this…

My debut album “What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak?” comes out May 15th🥹❤️💫📀💞★

Making this album independently has been the most insane thing I’ve ever done (and I do a lot of insane things!). It has been the biggest labor of love and I learned so much about myself and what it takes to build something out of nothing but a vision and a dream. I cannot wait for you to hear it in all its 2000s pop/rock realnessssss. This project feels embedded in the graffitied sidewalks of New York City. It’s messy and it’s flippant and it’s devastating and it’s exactly what I wanted it to be. Through these 12 songs, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll contemplate manslaughter, and ultimately you’ll be okay!! Making an album has been a dream of mine my entire life, and it feels so fitting to get to do it all on my terms. More sap later but that’s all for now😇

Presave link in my bio I beg of thee❤️

Creative Direction & Photography: @silas.sims.photo @moss.pic

#newmusic #album #poprock #y2k #nyc

MICHAEL STOLAR

@michaelstolar turns heartbreak, humour, and early-2000s pop-rock nostalgia into a raw and emotionally charged debut album, What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak?

See full story on F Word (Link in Bio).

artist spotlight: @michaelstolar

listen to “how we say goodbye” live now on alt next: may.

link in bio to submit your music🔊

artist spotlight: @michaelstolar

listen to “how we say goodbye” live now on alt next: may.

link in bio to submit your music🔊

artist spotlight: @michaelstolar

listen to “how we say goodbye” live now on alt next: may.

link in bio to submit your music🔊

artist spotlight: @michaelstolar

listen to “how we say goodbye” live now on alt next: may.

link in bio to submit your music🔊

artist spotlight: @michaelstolar

listen to “how we say goodbye” live now on alt next: may.

link in bio to submit your music🔊

artist spotlight: @michaelstolar

listen to “how we say goodbye” live now on alt next: may.

link in bio to submit your music🔊

artist spotlight: @michaelstolar

listen to “how we say goodbye” live now on alt next: may.

link in bio to submit your music🔊

artist spotlight: @michaelstolar

listen to “how we say goodbye” live now on alt next: may.

link in bio to submit your music🔊

so basically this was the best weekend of my life❤️

NEW YORK CITY THANK YOU FOR SHOWING OUT!!! Literally had so much fun on stage thanks for singing and sweating along w me🥹💗 Can’t wait for the next one and more pics and vids to come but for now just so grateful. OKAY GO STREAM THE ALBUM IN PERPETUITY FOREVER AND EVER

📸: @jm.rodrigueznyc

#nyc #concert #bowery #newmusic #y2k

so basically this was the best weekend of my life❤️

NEW YORK CITY THANK YOU FOR SHOWING OUT!!! Literally had so much fun on stage thanks for singing and sweating along w me🥹💗 Can’t wait for the next one and more pics and vids to come but for now just so grateful. OKAY GO STREAM THE ALBUM IN PERPETUITY FOREVER AND EVER

📸: @jm.rodrigueznyc

#nyc #concert #bowery #newmusic #y2k

so basically this was the best weekend of my life❤️

NEW YORK CITY THANK YOU FOR SHOWING OUT!!! Literally had so much fun on stage thanks for singing and sweating along w me🥹💗 Can’t wait for the next one and more pics and vids to come but for now just so grateful. OKAY GO STREAM THE ALBUM IN PERPETUITY FOREVER AND EVER

📸: @jm.rodrigueznyc

#nyc #concert #bowery #newmusic #y2k

so basically this was the best weekend of my life❤️

NEW YORK CITY THANK YOU FOR SHOWING OUT!!! Literally had so much fun on stage thanks for singing and sweating along w me🥹💗 Can’t wait for the next one and more pics and vids to come but for now just so grateful. OKAY GO STREAM THE ALBUM IN PERPETUITY FOREVER AND EVER

📸: @jm.rodrigueznyc

#nyc #concert #bowery #newmusic #y2k

so basically this was the best weekend of my life❤️

NEW YORK CITY THANK YOU FOR SHOWING OUT!!! Literally had so much fun on stage thanks for singing and sweating along w me🥹💗 Can’t wait for the next one and more pics and vids to come but for now just so grateful. OKAY GO STREAM THE ALBUM IN PERPETUITY FOREVER AND EVER

📸: @jm.rodrigueznyc

#nyc #concert #bowery #newmusic #y2k

so basically this was the best weekend of my life❤️

NEW YORK CITY THANK YOU FOR SHOWING OUT!!! Literally had so much fun on stage thanks for singing and sweating along w me🥹💗 Can’t wait for the next one and more pics and vids to come but for now just so grateful. OKAY GO STREAM THE ALBUM IN PERPETUITY FOREVER AND EVER

📸: @jm.rodrigueznyc

#nyc #concert #bowery #newmusic #y2k

Michael Stolar’s debut album, “What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak?”, feels like flipping through late-night memories you thought you buried. Across the project, Stolar blends raw emotion with polished songwriting, capturing the highs of infatuation, the weight of distance, and the aftermath of relationships that leave permanent marks. The album balances vulnerability and confidence in a way that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable, a soundtrack for anyone learning that heartbreak and growth often come hand in hand.

My debut album What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? is out now💫💔📀🎸★ This has been the most incredible journey and I’m so incredibly proud of this project. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m truly #gratefulasallgetout that so many people have been excited to hear it. This process really reinforced how much I love making music and I will likely do it forever and ever and then some🤗 Time for lots of thanks!!! Go to slide 7 to see all the credits!!

Get To Know You
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @thea.minster
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Masculine / Feminine
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Outside
Production: @cade.hoppe
Mixing & Mastering: @harperjamesx

Pretend It Isn’t Over
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Uppercut
Production & Mixing: @nickaxelkauffman
Mastering: @fknsamuel

How We Say Goodbye
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Someone Else
Production: @themollyfrances
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Forgiven & Forgotten
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Give It Time (I Might Not)
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Code
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

I Thought That I Knew You
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Creative Direction & Photography: @silas.sims.photo @moss.pic
Graphic Design: @nickcapcap1

To everyone mentioned, thank you so much for seeing this vision through. It would not exist without all of you. You brought this project to life in such a beautiful way and it turned out better than I ever imagined. I feel so lucky I got to work with some many incredible musicians and creatives. Thanks for making the album of my dreams🥹❤️

Go stream my darlings and COME SEE IT LIVE ON SUNDAY AT BOWERY PALACE😍

My debut album What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? is out now💫💔📀🎸★ This has been the most incredible journey and I’m so incredibly proud of this project. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m truly #gratefulasallgetout that so many people have been excited to hear it. This process really reinforced how much I love making music and I will likely do it forever and ever and then some🤗 Time for lots of thanks!!! Go to slide 7 to see all the credits!!

Get To Know You
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @thea.minster
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Masculine / Feminine
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Outside
Production: @cade.hoppe
Mixing & Mastering: @harperjamesx

Pretend It Isn’t Over
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Uppercut
Production & Mixing: @nickaxelkauffman
Mastering: @fknsamuel

How We Say Goodbye
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Someone Else
Production: @themollyfrances
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Forgiven & Forgotten
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Give It Time (I Might Not)
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Code
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

I Thought That I Knew You
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Creative Direction & Photography: @silas.sims.photo @moss.pic
Graphic Design: @nickcapcap1

To everyone mentioned, thank you so much for seeing this vision through. It would not exist without all of you. You brought this project to life in such a beautiful way and it turned out better than I ever imagined. I feel so lucky I got to work with some many incredible musicians and creatives. Thanks for making the album of my dreams🥹❤️

Go stream my darlings and COME SEE IT LIVE ON SUNDAY AT BOWERY PALACE😍

My debut album What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? is out now💫💔📀🎸★ This has been the most incredible journey and I’m so incredibly proud of this project. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m truly #gratefulasallgetout that so many people have been excited to hear it. This process really reinforced how much I love making music and I will likely do it forever and ever and then some🤗 Time for lots of thanks!!! Go to slide 7 to see all the credits!!

Get To Know You
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @thea.minster
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Masculine / Feminine
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Outside
Production: @cade.hoppe
Mixing & Mastering: @harperjamesx

Pretend It Isn’t Over
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Uppercut
Production & Mixing: @nickaxelkauffman
Mastering: @fknsamuel

How We Say Goodbye
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Someone Else
Production: @themollyfrances
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Forgiven & Forgotten
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Give It Time (I Might Not)
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Code
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

I Thought That I Knew You
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Creative Direction & Photography: @silas.sims.photo @moss.pic
Graphic Design: @nickcapcap1

To everyone mentioned, thank you so much for seeing this vision through. It would not exist without all of you. You brought this project to life in such a beautiful way and it turned out better than I ever imagined. I feel so lucky I got to work with some many incredible musicians and creatives. Thanks for making the album of my dreams🥹❤️

Go stream my darlings and COME SEE IT LIVE ON SUNDAY AT BOWERY PALACE😍

My debut album What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? is out now💫💔📀🎸★ This has been the most incredible journey and I’m so incredibly proud of this project. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m truly #gratefulasallgetout that so many people have been excited to hear it. This process really reinforced how much I love making music and I will likely do it forever and ever and then some🤗 Time for lots of thanks!!! Go to slide 7 to see all the credits!!

Get To Know You
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @thea.minster
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Masculine / Feminine
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Outside
Production: @cade.hoppe
Mixing & Mastering: @harperjamesx

Pretend It Isn’t Over
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Uppercut
Production & Mixing: @nickaxelkauffman
Mastering: @fknsamuel

How We Say Goodbye
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Someone Else
Production: @themollyfrances
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Forgiven & Forgotten
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Give It Time (I Might Not)
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Code
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

I Thought That I Knew You
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Creative Direction & Photography: @silas.sims.photo @moss.pic
Graphic Design: @nickcapcap1

To everyone mentioned, thank you so much for seeing this vision through. It would not exist without all of you. You brought this project to life in such a beautiful way and it turned out better than I ever imagined. I feel so lucky I got to work with some many incredible musicians and creatives. Thanks for making the album of my dreams🥹❤️

Go stream my darlings and COME SEE IT LIVE ON SUNDAY AT BOWERY PALACE😍

My debut album What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? is out now💫💔📀🎸★ This has been the most incredible journey and I’m so incredibly proud of this project. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m truly #gratefulasallgetout that so many people have been excited to hear it. This process really reinforced how much I love making music and I will likely do it forever and ever and then some🤗 Time for lots of thanks!!! Go to slide 7 to see all the credits!!

Get To Know You
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @thea.minster
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Masculine / Feminine
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Outside
Production: @cade.hoppe
Mixing & Mastering: @harperjamesx

Pretend It Isn’t Over
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Uppercut
Production & Mixing: @nickaxelkauffman
Mastering: @fknsamuel

How We Say Goodbye
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Someone Else
Production: @themollyfrances
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Forgiven & Forgotten
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Give It Time (I Might Not)
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Code
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

I Thought That I Knew You
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Creative Direction & Photography: @silas.sims.photo @moss.pic
Graphic Design: @nickcapcap1

To everyone mentioned, thank you so much for seeing this vision through. It would not exist without all of you. You brought this project to life in such a beautiful way and it turned out better than I ever imagined. I feel so lucky I got to work with some many incredible musicians and creatives. Thanks for making the album of my dreams🥹❤️

Go stream my darlings and COME SEE IT LIVE ON SUNDAY AT BOWERY PALACE😍

My debut album What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? is out now💫💔📀🎸★ This has been the most incredible journey and I’m so incredibly proud of this project. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m truly #gratefulasallgetout that so many people have been excited to hear it. This process really reinforced how much I love making music and I will likely do it forever and ever and then some🤗 Time for lots of thanks!!! Go to slide 7 to see all the credits!!

Get To Know You
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @thea.minster
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Masculine / Feminine
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Outside
Production: @cade.hoppe
Mixing & Mastering: @harperjamesx

Pretend It Isn’t Over
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Uppercut
Production & Mixing: @nickaxelkauffman
Mastering: @fknsamuel

How We Say Goodbye
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Someone Else
Production: @themollyfrances
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Forgiven & Forgotten
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Give It Time (I Might Not)
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Code
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

I Thought That I Knew You
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Creative Direction & Photography: @silas.sims.photo @moss.pic
Graphic Design: @nickcapcap1

To everyone mentioned, thank you so much for seeing this vision through. It would not exist without all of you. You brought this project to life in such a beautiful way and it turned out better than I ever imagined. I feel so lucky I got to work with some many incredible musicians and creatives. Thanks for making the album of my dreams🥹❤️

Go stream my darlings and COME SEE IT LIVE ON SUNDAY AT BOWERY PALACE😍

My debut album What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? is out now💫💔📀🎸★ This has been the most incredible journey and I’m so incredibly proud of this project. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m truly #gratefulasallgetout that so many people have been excited to hear it. This process really reinforced how much I love making music and I will likely do it forever and ever and then some🤗 Time for lots of thanks!!! Go to slide 7 to see all the credits!!

Get To Know You
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @thea.minster
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Masculine / Feminine
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Outside
Production: @cade.hoppe
Mixing & Mastering: @harperjamesx

Pretend It Isn’t Over
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Uppercut
Production & Mixing: @nickaxelkauffman
Mastering: @fknsamuel

How We Say Goodbye
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Someone Else
Production: @themollyfrances
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Forgiven & Forgotten
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Give It Time (I Might Not)
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Code
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

I Thought That I Knew You
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Creative Direction & Photography: @silas.sims.photo @moss.pic
Graphic Design: @nickcapcap1

To everyone mentioned, thank you so much for seeing this vision through. It would not exist without all of you. You brought this project to life in such a beautiful way and it turned out better than I ever imagined. I feel so lucky I got to work with some many incredible musicians and creatives. Thanks for making the album of my dreams🥹❤️

Go stream my darlings and COME SEE IT LIVE ON SUNDAY AT BOWERY PALACE😍

My debut album What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? is out now💫💔📀🎸★ This has been the most incredible journey and I’m so incredibly proud of this project. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m truly #gratefulasallgetout that so many people have been excited to hear it. This process really reinforced how much I love making music and I will likely do it forever and ever and then some🤗 Time for lots of thanks!!! Go to slide 7 to see all the credits!!

Get To Know You
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @thea.minster
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Masculine / Feminine
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Outside
Production: @cade.hoppe
Mixing & Mastering: @harperjamesx

Pretend It Isn’t Over
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Uppercut
Production & Mixing: @nickaxelkauffman
Mastering: @fknsamuel

How We Say Goodbye
Production: @tuckerbickell
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Someone Else
Production: @themollyfrances
Mixing: @ryan.sierakowski
Mastering: @fknsamuel

Forgiven & Forgotten
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Give It Time (I Might Not)
Production & Mixing: @tornamusic
Mastering: @fknsamuel

The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Code
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

I Thought That I Knew You
Production & Mixing: @juliendeculus
Mastering: @sannivasreddy

Creative Direction & Photography: @silas.sims.photo @moss.pic
Graphic Design: @nickcapcap1

To everyone mentioned, thank you so much for seeing this vision through. It would not exist without all of you. You brought this project to life in such a beautiful way and it turned out better than I ever imagined. I feel so lucky I got to work with some many incredible musicians and creatives. Thanks for making the album of my dreams🥹❤️

Go stream my darlings and COME SEE IT LIVE ON SUNDAY AT BOWERY PALACE😍

What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? Out at midnight TONIGHT💗📀💫🎸★

#newmusic #poprock #nyc #y2k #indiepop

NEW YORK!! I’m so stoked for my album release show this Sunday @bowerypalace 🎸📀💫★ it’s gonna be the most FAB night with the sickening @itsjulianharper opening the show and then you’ll get to hear the ENTIRE ALBUM LIVE!! Ohhh you will gag you will GAGGGG! Have you bought tickets yet?😇😸 (link in bio hehe)

#nyc #bowery #livemusic #eastvillage #poprock

What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? OUT IN 1 WEEK!!📀🎸💫★ Wowza feeling immense levels of pleasure and gratitude at prez🤗 might even reveal the track list tomorrow but who knows the truth😸😟

📸: @moss.pic @silas.sims.photo

#newyork #newmusic #album #poprock #y2k

What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? OUT IN 1 WEEK!!📀🎸💫★ Wowza feeling immense levels of pleasure and gratitude at prez🤗 might even reveal the track list tomorrow but who knows the truth😸😟

📸: @moss.pic @silas.sims.photo

#newyork #newmusic #album #poprock #y2k

What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak? OUT IN 1 WEEK!!📀🎸💫★ Wowza feeling immense levels of pleasure and gratitude at prez🤗 might even reveal the track list tomorrow but who knows the truth😸😟

📸: @moss.pic @silas.sims.photo

#newyork #newmusic #album #poprock #y2k

subject change

subject change

subject change

There’s a certain kind of song that feels like it was built for a crowd before it ever reaches one. Michael Stolar’s latest single, “How We Say Goodbye,” is exactly that. It starts as a personal story, messy and specific, but somehow lands as something much bigger. The kind of chorus you can already hear echoing off venue walls, even if you’re just listening alone.

Stolar has been steadily building momentum in New York’s indie pop/rock scene. His sound pulls from early 2000s influences but doesn’t feel stuck there. There’s the emotional directness of bands like Coldplay and The Script, mixed with the melodic instincts and genre-blending of artists like Maggie Rogers and SZA. The result is something anthemic, but still intimate enough to feel like it belongs to you.

“How We Say Goodbye” is rooted in a real moment. After a 3.5-year relationship ended with betrayal, Stolar found himself facing a goodbye that didn’t match the version he had imagined. Instead of something cinematic, it was awkward, human, and unexpectedly funny. That contrast is what makes the track hit. The bridge, pulled directly from that moment, plays like a scene you shouldn’t be hearing but can’t look away from.

What separates the song is how it handles heartbreak. It doesn’t lean into tragedy or self-pity. Instead, there’s a resilience to it, almost a wink. It understands that for this generation, even the worst moments come with a layer of irony. That balance between vulnerability and humor gives the song its replay value and its edge.

The single arrives just ahead of Stolar’s debut album, What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak?, dropping May 15. Entirely self-directed, the project reflects his hands-on approach to both sound and storytelling. A couple days later, on May 17, he’ll headline his first show at the Bowery Palace in New York City, performing the album live for the first time.

If “How We Say Goodbye” is any indication, that show won’t feel like a small-room moment for long. It feels like the beginning of something scaling up.

#indie #indiepop #songwriter

There’s a certain kind of song that feels like it was built for a crowd before it ever reaches one. Michael Stolar’s latest single, “How We Say Goodbye,” is exactly that. It starts as a personal story, messy and specific, but somehow lands as something much bigger. The kind of chorus you can already hear echoing off venue walls, even if you’re just listening alone.

Stolar has been steadily building momentum in New York’s indie pop/rock scene. His sound pulls from early 2000s influences but doesn’t feel stuck there. There’s the emotional directness of bands like Coldplay and The Script, mixed with the melodic instincts and genre-blending of artists like Maggie Rogers and SZA. The result is something anthemic, but still intimate enough to feel like it belongs to you.

“How We Say Goodbye” is rooted in a real moment. After a 3.5-year relationship ended with betrayal, Stolar found himself facing a goodbye that didn’t match the version he had imagined. Instead of something cinematic, it was awkward, human, and unexpectedly funny. That contrast is what makes the track hit. The bridge, pulled directly from that moment, plays like a scene you shouldn’t be hearing but can’t look away from.

What separates the song is how it handles heartbreak. It doesn’t lean into tragedy or self-pity. Instead, there’s a resilience to it, almost a wink. It understands that for this generation, even the worst moments come with a layer of irony. That balance between vulnerability and humor gives the song its replay value and its edge.

The single arrives just ahead of Stolar’s debut album, What’s Life Without a Little Heartbreak?, dropping May 15. Entirely self-directed, the project reflects his hands-on approach to both sound and storytelling. A couple days later, on May 17, he’ll headline his first show at the Bowery Palace in New York City, performing the album live for the first time.

If “How We Say Goodbye” is any indication, that show won’t feel like a small-room moment for long. It feels like the beginning of something scaling up.

#indie #indiepop #songwriter