Pascal Stevenson, the creative force behind Fashion Club, has released a new single, “Confusion,” along with an official music video, offering another glimpse into her highly anticipated sophomore album, A Love You Cannot Shake, set to drop 25 October via Felte Records. The track follows previous releases “Forget” featuring Perfume Genius and “Rotten Mind” featuring Julie Byrne, further showcasing Stevenson's unique fusion of art pop, ambient, and electro-pop influences.
“Confusion” is a striking blend of siren-like synths and euphoric crescendos, tackling themes of political and personal self-doubt. Stevenson describes the song as a reflection on the feelings of inadequacy fostered by capitalist pressures in American society.
Stevenson explains:
“It’s about trying to make yourself feel useful in a society that says, ‘If you’re not functioning a certain way, you’re not worth anything.”
This track fits seamlessly into the broader narrative of A Love You Cannot Shake, an album that Stevenson likens to “staring into the sun”—a work that delves into her personal journey, including her gender transition and sobriety. While deeply personal, the record resonates universally, inviting listeners to confront their own internal struggles and recenter hope.
A Love You Cannot Shake represents Stevenson's first record that explicitly addresses her trans identity, though she emphasizes that it is not a conventional “coming out” album. Instead, it distills her personal experiences into abstract yet relatable vignettes. The record features a dynamic mix of collaborators, including Perfume Genius, Jay Som, and Julie Byrne, each adding their own unique textures to the album’s soundscapes.
Musically, the album marks a departure from Stevenson's earlier work with the post-punk band Moaning and her 2022 debut as Fashion Club, Scrutiny. This time around, Stevenson embraces a broader palette, drawing on influences ranging from classical music to left-field electro-pop. Tracks like “Faith” blur the lines between glitchy industrial, pop, and classical, while “Ghost” brings a bubbly techno vibe, and “One Day” ventures into electronic heartland rock.
Stevenson’s evolution as a songwriter and producer is evident throughout the album. She began writing the songs on acoustic guitar and piano, stripping down her compositions to their core before building them into the intricate, multi-layered productions that define A Love You Cannot Shake.
As Stevenson’s artistry has grown, so too has her confidence. Reflecting on the album, she notes, “It feels like the album I’ve wanted to make for the past 10 years.” In addition to pushing her sonic boundaries, she explores a softer vocal style that reflects her identity and personal growth.
Fashion Club will celebrate the release of A Love You Cannot Shake with a headline show at Gold Diggers in Los Angeles on September 15, offering fans an early chance to experience the record's transformative power live.
Stevenson’s latest work promises to be a defining moment in her career, with A Love You Cannot Shake serving as both a deeply personal statement and a bold leap forward for Fashion Club.
Save the date for A Love You Cannot Shake, and watch the video for “Confusion”:
Upcoming live dates
