Setting the tone with elegantly strummed acoustic guitar, Stephanie Phillips opens The Last Word with the situational lyrics, “She loves lolly pops and pixie sticks, and wanted to be a marine biologist, he loved cars and sports and played little league and wanted to go to the police academy, but now they are gone and we are to blame…”
The opus expands into a vibrant folk pop energy, with quite a heavy theme as Stephanie Phillips writes in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
She tells us “The song is in honour and memory of the children whose lives were so violently taken from us. It is a battle cry for those of who want to change the NRA’s hold on this country and our government.”
We appreciate the intention of the piece and the juxtaposition of the bright production with the profound and urgent message as Stephanie sings, “Do something, do anything, make yourself be heard…”
Stephanie cites Dan Fogelberg, Cat Stevens, and James Taylor, as well as female artists such as the Indigo Girls and Cheryl Wheeler, as her influences, although it is clear that with her depth, she is creating a conscious universe of her own. We learn that The Last Word was recorded in Philadelphia at Magnasonic studio. Josh Lis was the recording engineer and Thomas Kelly was the percussionist.
We have added The Last Word to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream Stephanie Phillips‘ wider discography including The Scent of Childhood and Open Doorway.