Through personal turmoil and wandering, Louisa Stancioff has come out the other end with a debut record that feels like a sentimental snapshot of a fleeting, emotional memory. Blurring the lines between indie rock stoicism and folk sincerity, her songs bring comparisons to artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Big Thief, while still having its own style of tender vulnerability. "There are times in life when you're so present, so fully immersed in the moment that you can catch a glimpse of another universe," Stancioff says of the album's core. When We Were Looking is full of those moments; glimpses of something larger than ourselves, as if the veil of reality has been lifted. Written and recorded during a period of profound change, the album feels like we’re joining her on a cathartic exploration of pain and growth, and ultimately, finding beauty in loss together.

Produced by Sam Kassirer, known for his work with Josh Ritter and Craig Finn, When We Were Looking thrives on luxuriant arrangements and immersive soundscapes. Kassirer’s reverb-heavy, synth-driven production works seamlessly with Stancioff’s raw and heart-felt songwriting, creating an atmospheric sound that mirrors the album’s themes of uncertainty and tenacity. “I told Sam I wanted a vibey sound with a lot of reverb and keyboards, and doubled vocals front and center,” Stancioff recalls. “That turned out to be his specialty.”

The album’s opener, "Gold," sets the tone with its warm, hazy melodies and melancholic reflection on the passage of time and lost love. Lines like “I know you said you’re sorry / I know you said you’re gold” strike with the gentle insistence of someone grappling with inevitable separation. Similarly, the ethereal “Seams” uses sewing as a metaphor for both mending and the pain that comes with new beginnings, a reflection of Stancioff’s own experiences during the pandemic. It's an album that, even at its most heart-wrenching, carries a sense of quiet determination. Tracks like "Nobody’s Watching" and "End Of Your Song" offer hope in the face of confusion and closure in the face of unanswered questions. It’s a record that feels as timeless as the emotions it explores, a beautiful, bittersweet companion for anyone navigating the complexities of life and love.

Louisa Stancioff’s nomadic journey in life has clearly informed her music. Raised in rural Maine, she soaked up traditional Bulgarian tunes from her family, before touring the U.S. with her cousin as part of the duo Dyado. But it was after striking out on her own, and after a period of wanderlust, that she found her true voice in When We Were Looking. “The album was a way for me to process everything I was going through,” Stancioff admits. “It was time to close the door and move on.”