Filipino indie rock outfit We Are Imaginary are back with “Stockholm,” the latest single from their forthcoming self-titled album, set to be released on vinyl under Eikon Records in mid-2025.
Exploring themes of emotional entanglement and vulnerability, “Stockholm” is a gripping meditation on toxic attachment disguised as love. The track marks a pivotal moment for frontman and guitarist Ahmad Tanji, who channels years of disquietude into one of the band’s most sonically and lyrically captivating releases to date.
The song opens with the Nietzsche-inspired line, “Staring at the abyss / staring back at me,” which immediately sets the tone for introspection. As the track unfolds, lyrics like “So used with bad directions / I’m following no leads” imply how the protagonist continues to spiral out of existential dread, losing the will to continue fighting—only to be pulled back by the subtle, grounding sound.
Nearing its final lap, “Stockholm” shifts from self-doubt to fleeting relief with the repeated line, “Then I hear my name / From the other line / And it don’t make sense / But everything turned right,” capturing the distorted comfort often found in unhealthy relationships, where even the smallest gestures feel strangely hopeful and redemptive, regardless of the cyclical doom that is about to happen.
According to Ahmad Tanji, lead vocalist and guitarist of We Are Imaginary, the track was inspired by his lyrical heroes from early 2000s indie rock/pop. “This time, after going through a depressive state over a toxic relationship, I looked inward and tried wording out the existential crisis I was in. It’s sort of a nod to that iconic Garden State scene, but through a grittier lens.”
Sonically, “Stockholm” showcases the band’s signature blend of introspective storytelling and textured instrumentation. The production evolved through a collaborative exchange between Tanji and producer Joey Santos, who initially leaned into a heavier, noisier arrangement.
“My mind was pushing it to be more in the vein of 90’s alternapop bands (Superdrag, Nada Surf, etc.) as it should serve the bounce and weight of the words,” shares Ahmad Tanji. “I think Angee Rozul’s (sound engineer) idea of adding an acoustic guitar to drive the song did wonders. Moving that instrument to the front seat made the vibe more, as you said, expansive and intimate.”
We Are Imaginary’s “Stockholm” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide.
