Stephanie Westdal – “Lesser Than”

Stephanie Westdal’s “Lesser Than” is one of those tracks that makes you want to play again and again. The whole idea behind the song is to confront the blurry, often overlooked line between consent and coercion, and she doesn’t shy away from how heavy that is. She takes one of the most uncomfortable, deeply personal experiences someone can go through and lays it out. Not to shock, but to start a real conversation.

Feeling powerless, betrayed, and totally worn down, she turns it into something that pushes back. The lines hit in a way that feels personal without being over the top. It’s honest, and you can tell she means every word.

Stephanie teamed up with Chris Burke-Gaffney for the musical arrangement, and the production is handled in a way that respects the content. It doesn’t get in the way of what she’s trying to say. Allen Hunnie did the mastering, and it’s out on World Peach Records, who clearly understand the value of putting something meaningful out into the world. If “Lesser Than” is your first introduction to Stephanie Westdal, it’s worth taking the time to check out more of her work. There’s clearly a lot more behind the artistry here.

If you’re into following artists who talk about real stuff and aren’t afraid to start hard conversations, definitely go follow Stephanie on Instagram and Facebook, that’s where you’ll find out about her upcoming music, shows, and anything else she’s working on. If this song is any indication of what’s coming next, you’re gonna want to be paying attention. Seriously, go follow her and keep up, you won’t regret it.