Blue Cactus, the North Carolina duo of Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez, have shared the third and final single ahead of their upcoming sophomore album Stranger Again, out May 7 on Sleepy Cat Records. “Stranger Again” examines the shifting dynamics in a relationship. From a place of trying intimacy, or as she calls it, “the trappings of the day-to-day — dirty dishes, piles of laundry, keeping score,” singer and songwriter Steph Stewart looks back to the beginning of love and sings with poignant longing: I wanna be your stranger again. Her vocals vibrate with emotion under tasteful restraint, reminiscent of Stevie Nicks.

Of the new single, Steph shares: This song came in a rare moment of solitude when Mario was on tour with HC McEntire. In his absence, I realized I had fallen into this pattern where I didn’t fully appreciate the life we were making together. It was a beautiful thing, having that space to miss each other. I came to understand that the deepest levels of intimacy are created in that intentional space. This is how we let our love evolve and root. Daily life with a partner can be mundane or precious. Halfhearted or Wholehearted. It’s a choice. 

Blue Cactus’ self-titled debut album garnered acclaim from the likes of Paste Magazine, No Depression, and INDY Week among others. The band landed performances at beloved festivals like Nashville’s Muddy Roots and Raleigh’s Hopscotch as well as tour support for The War & Treaty, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Lilly Hiatt, and Junior Brown. In their highly anticipated follow-up, Blue Cactus lay an emboldened claim upon that space between the comfort of classic country and the glamor of 70s rock—a glowing space between earth and sky.

Photo Courtesy: Chris Frisina