Ryan Stayes – “Poems from the Past”

Ryan Stayes brings an incredible amount of heart to “Poems from the Past”. The album blends quiet indie folk with grounded alternative rock, focusing on deeply personal experiences from family and love to nostalgia, regret, and finding hope in change. Drawing inspiration from life in the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest, as well as the landscapes and culture of Southern California, these songs explore the passage of time, changing seasons of life, and the moments that shape who we are. Rather than following short lived music habits, the focus stays squarely on honest storytelling, memorable melodies, and meaningful lyrics that speak directly to real life.

Across its sixteen tracks, the entire record builds a deeply personal journey. The tracklist includes “All My Days”, “Backyard Basements”, “Figure 8s”, “She Thinks”, “See You Soon”, “Barely Listening”, “Clocks Tick, Time Tells”, “Floor Boards”, “Life Happens Here”, “Mirrors”, “Ms. Quinn”, “SD, SB, SEA”, “Screen Time”, “Morning Sunshine Screams”, “Morgan, Now”, and “Ollie Funk”. Many of these compositions grew out of ideas, lyrics, and melodies developed over more than two decades. That long commitment to craft shows in every single arrangement, creating a genuine emotional depth that invites listeners to revisit emotions they have felt but may have never been able to put into words.

Every single moment on this project lands with absolute grace, and I truly believe Ryan Stayes has created something special here. “Poems from the Past” is a deeply moving work of art that captured my complete attention from start to finish. If you appreciate music that tells honest human stories, please make sure to follow Ryan Stayes on your preferred social media channels and streaming platforms today. Staying connected with his work is the best way to ensure you stay updated about any new releases, tour dates, or announcements coming up in the rest of this year, because an artist who writes with this much care, resilience, and quiet optimism will certainly have plenty of incredible music to share with us all very soon.