In the midst of the pandemic, I was left with not a lot to do and a lot of silence to fill, so it was a natural catalyst for a lot of musical discovery. Back before I was aware of the album experience, I mostly dabbled in singles and the occasional deep cut find, and I made heavy use of Spotify's daily mixes and recommendations. I don't remember what context I found Stardust in, but I remember falling in love with the song instantly.
I think the most captivating thing about this song is how positive it sounds. It's almost unreal how happy-sounding this song is, with pretty piano melodies alongside a great voice, and for the chorus, high-energy percussion and synths that amp it up so quickly and beautifully. Despite being very pop-like, New Politics managed to capture a pop-rock sound reminiscent of OneRepublic and Imagine Dragons with the orchestral instrumentation and vocal focus throughout the whole track. Of course, there are great lyrics and melodies, especially with the chorus, and despite it's rather simplistic sentiment, it is a well-done one.
My love for this song is one of many remnants of a time where how I experienced music was much, much simpler. It was a time where I didn't think about instrumentation or melodies, about soundscapes and songwriting, I just liked songs if I enjoyed listening to them. It was a time where I didn't need or have much reason to prefer songs over others, and I couldn't be too sure that if I were to discover this song now, if I'd be loving it to the same degree. Yet, that's the amazing thing about nostalgia, isn't it? Music as an experience and how it tied itself to the feelings I had back then is forever a memory I can uncover, buried in those melodies.
The previous paragraph might be an overdramatic way of saying there's not too much to talk about. It is quite a simple song at the core of it's writing, it's appeal mostly brought forth by catchy melodies and an aptitude in evoking feelings. The happiness contained within this track is undeniable, and its a track that I am more than happy to rediscover sitting in my thousands of liked songs on Spotify. Props to sentiment, I suppose.
Rating: 4/5