Album Review: REVIEW: Short Stack - 'Maybe There's No Heaven'

1. Maybe There’s No Heaven
The title and the opening track starts with beautiful husky vocals from Shaun to open the record with some emotional lyrics that turn into an intro to Burn You Down

2. Burn You Down
This was the first song released as a part of UNFD. This is the song that converted me to a Short Stack Stan, I fear I was a little too old to fall in love with them in the 2000s but this song hooked me. It’s heavy, it’s got these playful dance moments with synth licks throughout and A BREAKDOWN WITH A SCREAM...LIKE, WHAT??

3. Armageddon
This is just such a classic Short Stack banger. 2:32 of high energy pop-punk beats complete with ‘na na na’s’. This track is so catchy & it’s the one I remember everyone losing their minds to at Unify. Yes, I see you metalhead and you cannot hide from me or Short Stack!

4. Dancing With The Devil
A slower start that builds into another punchy track. ‘If you love me then just let me go’ is sung in the bridge and you can almost feel the crowd of people jumping up and down to this in a live setting. Even when listening in your room alone.

5. Sunshine
The most recent Short Stack single & in our interview with Shaun for Unify Forever he called this out as his fave track on the record. Complete with *clap clap* moments and some hectic drumming from Bradie, this has a heavier feel than the last few songs.

6. Love You Like I Used To
This song builds really nicely. Starts slow, drums come in, energy rises. It’s actually a huge standout so far. The lyrics are emotionally charged and this has huge old school emo kid vibes but in a grown-up sense? I love this one. A lot!

7. Live4
This track was released last year and despite the fact that we have had the track for a long time, hearing it on the record feels like the first time. It’s a very, very strong track and similar to the last song, has a big build & grown-up Short Stack feels. VERY great track and I can understand why it was a single it has BIG energy.

8. Shinigami
The longest song on the album. When it starts and you think it might be a slow song before Bradie's drums come in and then STRINGS? Okay, Short Stack did NOT come to play. This song is quite different to the rest of the record, it has more of an anthem type vibe. They’ve explored with a slower tempo, lower vocal register, as previously mentioned, STRINGS, and more. You wouldn’t know this is Short Stack if you heard it on it's own.

9. Lights Out
Okay, we have a real RnB vibe going on here. High hat energy & some autotune moments to warp the vocals. Sounds like it could slot onto an MGK or Post Malone record. I like the exploration and change of pace. Good move gang. Gooooood move. Very hype right now.

10. Valkyrie
Ohhh this is also a VERY different vibe. Reminds me of 2010 splendour-esque bands. Like ‘Of Monster’s & Men’ vibes. I like the move to what sounds like an acoustic guitar. If you don’t start clapping your hands above your head to this, you’re doing it wrong. I truly thought that would be the final track given the vibe it brings!

11. Cut Your Teeth
I change my mind this is the final song vibes I needed. I know I’ve called this out multiple times already but Bradie is actually mental on these drums. This is the catchiest song on the record. Without a doubt. Again it makes me want to dance. It also makes me wish the record wouldn’t end? I love this. This gives me American Idiot vibes. HUGE final track.

Honestly, I mentioned earlier that I wasn’t a Short Stack fan when they first exploded. Not because I didn't like them, I just never gave them a go! I fully put this expectation on myself as an ‘older’ emo kid that listened to heavier music at that point that I was ‘too old' to like a pop-punk band. I love that they have resurged because frankly, I love them now. Let your expectations go of this being a record for young kids that like pop-punk and fall in love with the fact that they have grown and matured without compromising the Short Stack sound. Seriously, well played guys. You’ve gained a fan in me.

'Maybe There's No Heaven' is out TOMORROW, April 8th via UNFD