Stinkus returns with second full-length album

Los Angeles-based producer and songwriter Tyler Thompson, operating as a solo artist under the moniker Stinkus, has been shaping the sound of modern indie pop from behind the scenes. Having written and produced with artists such as girlhouse, WILD, BEL, Khatumu, The Mowgli’s, Sex Week and Smallpools, he’s earned a reputation for compelling songwriting and impactful tuned production.

But Stinkus is where Tyler steps out from behind the curtain via a project that allows him to create without constraints, making music that reflects his emotions in their purest form. The name itself came from a nickname, Tink, then Tinkus, eventually developing into Stinkus, the playful yet fitting alias under which Tyler channels his creative energy.

The project first surfaced in February of last year with the debut single “Not Like Dying” and two more singles, “I Am” and “Rodeo Mary,” quickly followed. Later that same year came 23, the debut full-length album that confirmed Stinkus as more than just a side project. Written, produced, mixed and mastered entirely by Tyler, the record showcased an incredible command of tone and storytelling.

Now, Stinkus returns with I love you, trackstar, his brand new sophomore record created in complete isolation. The fourteen-track album was born over two weeks in a remote cabin in rural Michigan, where Tyler set up his recording equipment and let the songs take shape naturally. That environment of quiet, detached and immersive surroundings seeps through every moment of the record, capturing a snapshot of an artist chasing emotion through musical expression.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Alex G, Pinegrove and MJ Lenderman, I love you, trackstar balances lo-fi textures with sharp bursts of melody and reflection. Its sound is constantly shifting, a context mirroring Tyler’s own creative rhythm and the way his mind moves through ideas. Open about living with OCD and bipolar disorder, he describes how his preferences and moods can change daily, informing the album’s unpredictable nature.

First track “Plastic Blue” jumps straight into a bright indie pop scene where delicate rock energy and hazy lo-fi aesthetic crafts a misty backdrop as Stinkus’ smooth vocal leads float above to stitch catchy lines into the musical fabric. Peppered with female vocal sample elements, dashed with twanging lead guitar work and wrapped up with engaging ebb and flow, it’s a superb showcase of the artist’s knack for threading memorable songwriting into thoroughly original arrangements.

On “Falling In Love,” he links up with Ocean Leclair for a mellow alternative pop outing build on tapped percussion, warm acoustic guitar strums and airy vocals. Gliding with silky melodic writing and moments of emo-inflected vocal style, Ocean’s elegant voice adds intricate contrast to the song, resulting in a charming listening experience from start to finish. “only when it comes to you, i guess” brings the laid back shuffle of rustling drums and hushed vocals that roll alongside stripped back guitar rhythms, offering the perfect display of Stinkus’ flair for framing his sound in minimal, yet enveloping soundscapes.

Title track “I love you, trackstar” finds Stinkus at his most lively with an infectious dance-inflected pop jam brimming with energising beats and instantly catchy vocals. Other highlights like “Wide Eyed” inject smooth brass melodies and jaunty instrumental flickers as the snap of the drums propels the upbeat sound while stacked vocals ring out with breezy leads. Bringing the album to a gentle finale, the downtempo sway and shifting instrumental structure of “The Oath” is capped by emotive vocals, casting a delightful closing moment to Stinkus’ sensational second record.

Listen to I love you, trackstar below