What makes Stack Is the New Black by Short Stack notable?

Stack Is the New Black debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, showcasing its commercial success. The album received positive reviews for its infectious energy and clever songwriting, which resonated with a generation of young listeners and helped define the Australian pop-punk movement of the late 2000s. Released in 2009, Stack Is the New Black is Short Stack's debut studio album, marking their entry into the Australian pop-punk landscape. The band gained significant attention following their formation in 2005, and this album solidified their presence after a series of successful EPs.

How many songs are on Stack Is the New Black?

Stack Is the New Black has 14 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

Stack Is the New Black

Short Stack · 2009

50 min · 14 tracks · pop-punk

Energetic pop-punk melodies blend with catchy hooks and youthful exuberance, encapsulating a vibrant Australian music scene.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Ladies & Gentlemen — Opening with an infectious melody, this track sets the tone for the album, combining playful lyrics with an upbeat rhythm that captures youthful confidence.
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Drop Dead Gorgeous — This standout track features a catchy chorus and relatable themes of infatuation, making it a fan favorite and a defining moment on the album.
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17 — A reflective anthem about teenage experiences and emotions, this track showcases the band's ability to blend sincerity with energetic pop-punk sounds.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

43 /100

Lowland

Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The album captures youthful energy with catchy hooks but lacks depth in songwriting and cohesion.

What we noticed

The first half of the album maintains a high-energy tempo, with tracks like 'Ladies & Gentlemen' and 'Princess' featuring driving guitar riffs and upbeat rhythms.
Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocals, particularly in the choruses, which enhances the sing-along quality.
The lyrical themes often revolve around youthful experiences and relationships, creating a relatable narrative for the target audience.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Before Angels Fall

The bridge shifts to an introspective tone, contemplating loss while maintaining a driving beat that contrasts the melancholy.

This structural choice creates a compelling juxtaposition between lyrical vulnerability and upbeat instrumentation, deepening emotional engagement.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Ladies & Gentlemen 3:27
2 Princess 3:18
3 Shimmy a Go Go 4:04
4 Sway, Sway Baby! 2:50
5 In This Place 3:30
6 Drop Dead Gorgeous 2:53
7 Counting the Stars 3:25
8 Before Angels Fall 3:12
9 The Back of My Head 4:02
10 One Step Closer 3:28
11 It’s 4 U 3:01
12 17 4:13
13 We All Know 3:26
14 Thick as Thieves 5:17

What to play next

Listen next

This Is Bat Country

2010

Go back to

Art Vandelay

Full Short Stack discography Artists like Short Stack

pop-punk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata