When a band lists their influences as LCD Soundsystem, Curtis Mayfield, SUUNS, Talking Heads, ESG, Elvis Costello, Stoylov, Laurence-Anne, DEVO, and Ata Kak, you know to expect the unexpected!
Montreal’s STAIRS, an eclectic rock outfit blending dance-punk with psychedelic pop, has returned with Predict Forget, their second full-length album. Formed in the Laurentians in 2019, the band has carved out a reputation across Quebec for its unique, high-energy soundscapes, combining layers of fuzz-drenched guitars, doubled-up drum lines, and angular bass riffs.
STAIRS features four core members: Oscar Robertson on bass and lead vocals, Vincent Ménard handling guitars, synthesizers, and tambourine, Zak Colello on guitars, synths, and additional bass duties, and Marlie Robertson on drums and backup vocals. The quartet’s DIY ethos has seen them record and mix all of their music independently, with Predict Forget crafted in their own home studio under Colello’s guidance.
The album is a natural evolution from their 2021 debut Until the Dreams Come Through, maintaining their signature psychotropic grooves while intensifying their sound with a gritty edge. Predict Forget dives headfirst into themes that reflect the current state of the world, from environmental degradation and generational repetition to cultural decay and gender politics.
The album’s lead track, “Brave New World,” sets the tone with a narrative about urban alienation. It’s a rock anthem that captures the unsettling feeling of moving to a city where excess is all that’s left—a place where past indulgences of previous generations echo in the present. Other tracks continue to explore this darker terrain, taking on issues like the objectification of women, the violence that comes with the male gaze, and the pressure of a capitalistic “grind culture.”
Predict Forget also welcomes contributions from notable guest musicians, including Marilou Chalifoux (Mean Meurl), Béatrice Lortie, Mikhael Daoudi (Koalibri), and Florence Labelle (Velours Velours, Quatuor Bazaar), adding depth to the record’s textural landscape.
Drawing influences from such a broad range of artists, STAIRS pulls from a rich palette, blending indie rock and post-punk with shades of jazz and musique concrète. With Predict Forget, STAIRS aims not only to expand their musical horizons but also to create an experience that feels both immediate and hauntingly reflective—a danceable descent into the complexities of modern existence.
Photo – @la.fée.candide
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