Wichita ‘easycore’ quartet Stay the Course release intimate second single ahead of label debut
Photo: Katherine Jean
In a genre defined by distortion, urgency, and rebellious angst, Wichita’s “Stay the Course” harmoniously blends the emotional honesty of emo with the punch of pop punk. However, with their latest single, “Post-Traumatic”, the band takes a surprising —and striking —departure from their usual style, trading breakdowns for string arrangements and punchy hooks for acoustic vulnerability.
The track, released July 18 as a lyric video and available digitally on July 25, is the second single from their upcoming debut album Red Flag, due later this year via Punkerton Records. Ironically, this track almost didn’t make the cut. Initially not considered for the album at all, the song only found its place after guitarist Colby Munn sent a rough phone demo to frontman and founder Joseph Meador. “Colby had sent me a demo of this song over the phone and I knew immediately that it had to go on the record,” says frontman Joseph Meador. “His songwriting is great and his voice is incredible. This song really showcases that.” The decision to include “Post-Traumatic” reshaped the album’s tracklist– and for good reason. It reveals a new creative direction for the band, one that’s more vulnerable and stripped down.
For a band whose catalog often leans on driving rhythms and big choruses, “Post Traumatic” is a sonic curveball. Lead vocals are handed off to guitarist Colby Munn, marking a rare shift in dynamic. Stay The Course steps into new territory here, embracing acoustic textures, emotional restraint, and classical string accompaniment. The song features a cello and violin performance by Meador’s wife and eldest daughter, adding a hauntingly personal touch to an already vulnerable track. The result is a stripped-down piece that captures a fleeting, intimate moment. Meador admits: “This song is a far cry from what we normally do.” This is what makes it important. While their past releases have often leaned into frustration, heartbreak, and survival with full-force angst, “Post Traumatic” pauses for breath. It’s a moment of reflection, of wrestling with the aftermath rather than the immediate chaos. Delivered through Munn’s warm, unguarded vocals, the song feels less like a traditional single and more like an open letter.
Formed in 2015 as Meador’s solo project, Stay The Course has evolved into a fully collaborative band over the past decade, all while staying rooted in the emotional candor that defines the emo and pop punk scenes. Their sound blends the grit of easycore with a knack for melody, creating something that’s both cathartic and undeniably catchy. They are known for their earnest songwriting and high-octane riffs that make them a stand-out for their genre. After years of DIY hustle, the band signed to Punkerton Records in early 2025—a turning point that allowed them to take creative risks like “Post Traumatic.”
With Red Flag, Stay The Course is more than ready for a wider audience. The album promises both the raucous energy fans have come to expect and the emotional depth that songs like “Post Traumatic” suggest. If this latest single is any indication, the band’s debut with Punkerton will not just be a milestone—it’ll be a statement. The album reflects upon their journey of growth, capturing both the turbulence and insight that rise from life’s hardest battles. For now, “Post Traumatic” offers a moment of quiet reflection amid the chaos, proving that sometimes the loudest emotions are best delivered with a whisper. And sometimes, things really are meant to be.
