EKKSTACY

Following the critical success of his 2024 self-titled album, 23-year-old EKKSTACY returned to his hometown of Vancouver, stepping away from the chaos of Los Angeles and New York. “Living here is lame,” he says, “but it’s comfy.”

After spiraling into heavy partying while touring Europe – despite vowing never to do drugs again – he hit a breaking point. Meeting someone special helped him pull back from the edge, and he began writing his most personal work yet: Forever. Written mostly sober and in love, Forever marks a shift for EKKSTACY. Where past projects channelled the moody echoes of The Drums, Lil Peep, and the Smiths, Forever draws from the raw, emotional charge of bands like Japandroids and Remo Drive. “I just stopped liking the indie stuff,” he says. “I got more into emo.”

This time, he overhauled his process, writing songs on guitar and letting vocals lead the way – simple, but revelatory. “Honestly, I feel so dumb talking about this process,” he admits. “But it’s new for me!” The result is a record that’s louder, messier, and more emotionally direct. From the pop-punk punch of the title track to the aching vulnerability of ballads like “Seventeen” and “Wonder,” the album is cohesive and unflinching. On standout “She Will Be Missed,” he swings from delicate near-whispers to throat-shredding howls.

Forever features no guests, no gimmicks – just EKKSTACY, unfiltered and fully in his element. “This is the best album I’ve ever made,” he says. “I feel deeper about this than anything I’ve done before.” It’s the sound of an artist entering his prime – focused, fearless, and finally at home.