Saturday

September 13, 2025 Vol 19

Why Late Stage Crush Should Be on Your Playlist: Exploring Their Unique Sound

Late Stage Crush is a fresh name in Raleigh music. This duo features singer Rebecca Sunnybrook and lyricist Susan Mahlburg. Their music merges country noir with contemporary indie influences. This creates a listening experience which keeps you interested while telling stories with thoughtful lyrics. The duo handles sparse arrangements and direct, poignant vocals – and makes each song worthwhile a listen. It ain’t about the music however; it ain’t everything about the music. It is about the characters behind it, the emotionality of the piece, and also the artist-listener connection. Late Stage Crush is more than just a band name; It’s a promise of an ear – grabbing story to be revealed. 

The Duo’s Unique Musical Roots 

With Rebecca Sunnybrook lending her classical vocal training to the mix, and Susan Mahlburg pouring her poetic expertise into each lyric, Late Stage Crush is no stranger to musical juxtaposition. The duo’s sound hits on classic country themes , such as loss and distance, all while maintaining a modern indie feel. This innovative combination keeps their music feeling fresh and heartfelt. It’s rare to find music that pairs such raw emotional storytelling with a backdrop of crisp and clean vocals. Sunnybrook’s voice delivers intensity without overbearing on the listener, presenting an understated power that resonates well with Mahlburg’s compelling lyrics. The duo’s first EP, High Noon Divorce, embodies this unique approach, illustrating just how well these two push and pull between vulnerability and strength. They’ve captured the essence of Americana while introducing a progressive twist, which results in a balanced array of sounds and sentiments – a thoughtful exploration into the complexities of modern relationships.

Paving Their Own Path: The Creative Process 

What I find fascinating about Late Stage Crush is their willingness to stay creatively independent. All of their music is self directed and candidly mirrors their vision. Unlike some in the industry who employ heavy production, Late Stage Crush is about telling stories and lyric content. Their method leads to songs which are stripped of their shallow components and have a raw, unfiltered experience that’s intimately personal. The thoughtfulness of their lyrics shows; High creativity and independence mean that listeners tune into their songs and get a genuine feeling of the artists ‘thinking and feelings. Currently, Rebecca and Susan are writing and recording their 2nd EP that will have expanded instrumentation. This new collection is likely to give the duo a deeper musical layer, with sounds including pedal steel and upright bass demonstrating they can innovate without losing their essence. 

Performing Live and Planning Ahead 

Late Stage Crush isn’t just about creating music in the studio; They strive for experiences that extend into their live performances too. The pair are preparing for small shows throughout North Carolina and Tennessee. These concerts aim to take their music directly to viewers in a personal and enjoyable manner, so that fans can feel the raw musical energy directly. By selecting smaller venues Late Stage Crush can keep performances intimate, enabling the audience to connect with the songs and stories behind them. It is obvious that their minimalism in music includes their performance style also. Additionally, it provides the artists the chance to improve their sound based on viewer feedback – producing emotional and relevant music. 

Discover Late Stage Crush 

Late Stage Crush invites you to join them on their ongoing musical journey, one fueled by independence, creativity, and a deep connection to the emotional core of human experience. Whether you’re interested in their debut EP High Noon Divorce, or future projects set to expand on their signature style, there is no better time to dive in. You can follow along with their updates, new releases, and concert plans via their Instagram page. Their music is genuine and thoughtful, perfect for anyone seeking a fresh yet familiar blend of storytelling and melody. To truly experience what Late Stage Crush has to offer, check out their music on Spotify and let them draw you into their world of haunting vocals and evocative lyrics, leaving you with a feeling and soundscape that’s hard to forget. 

Jonathan Carter