I’ve been there, done that, got the t-shirt (and the trauma) — Anna Shoemaker‘s new album Someone Should Stop Her is (unfortunately) preaching to the heartbroken choir. Recorded in Nashville and followed by the once NYC-based singer-songwriter’s move to sunnier pastures in LA, Shoemaker’s latest album enlists alt-pop melodies to bring us along for the sometimes volatile, always heartfelt ride. Lucky for us, all things, including post-love despair, must come to an end — so, after releasing her album last week, Shoemaker is ready to walk us through a step-by-step, track-by-track guide to our very own “post-break-up glow-up” in her own words, below.
So you’re going through a break-up. You may be questioning your decision (or their decision!) chances are it’s probably the right one. Listen to “Holly” to remind yourself how terrible this person made you feel about yourself. If you still can’t shake the feeling of wanting to get back together you could turn on “Wishful Thinking” and yearn, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It might lead to a glass of wine … or a bottle … in which case that’s okay too! Drunk scream “Game of Thrones” in an Uber or into a karaoke mic with your best friends and you’ll be so back. If you’re experiencing scaries the next morning, promise yourself you’ll never drink again and listen to “Fields” while driving to get a large coffee. Then, sit in the parking lot drinking coffee listening to “Horsegirl.” Consider yourself healed.
Each track [below] represents a different stage of heartbreak — the highs, the lows, and the moments in between when you think you’re fine but suddenly are not. Here’s where they all fit in:
“Real Life”
This is the screaming-crying-in-the-car-with-your-best-friend, “I hate you, I love me” song. Chaos. Rage. Liberation.
“Fields”
The hungover “I’m never drinking again” song. You’re driving toward a better future, but first, you need a large coffee and a moment to stare out the window dramatically.
“Game of Thrones”
Less about a relationship breakup, more about breaking up with the internet. For when you’ve been scrolling TikTok for too long and need to remind yourself that comparison is a scam.
“Not Your Baby”
Everyone gets one situationship song. This is mine. That confusing space where you’re meeting someone new but still questioning everything you thought you knew about love.
“Back Again”
The bargaining phase. The “Please take me back, I need you” song. (Spoiler alert: You don’t need him.)
“Iced Coffee”
The moment when you start romanticizing every little thing about your ex. PSA: It’s called a breakup because it’s broken. This song is about the push-pull of moving on while still getting caught up in the nostalgia.
“Gas Station Parking Lot”
The realization hits: The end isn’t near … it’s here.
“Close to the Sun”
A song to scream-sing in the car. Sometimes, you girlboss too close to the sun, and that’s okay.
“Holly”
One of my favorites. A reminder of how small someone can make you feel — and why you’re better off without them.
“Horse Girl”
Let sad girl yearning time commence.
“Miniskirt”
This really represents the denial and relapse stage — that phase where you know things aren’t working, but you keep going back, hoping it will be different.
“Wishful Thinking”
For when you know getting back together is a bad idea, but you still kinda want to. Warning: This track may lead to a glass of wine … or a bottle.
Photography: Josefine Cardoni