Stinkus is the alias of Tyler Thompson, an accomplished producer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. With a long list of impressive credits, working with the likes of The Mowgil’s, Smallpools, and WILD, to name a few, Thompson uses Stinkus as an unfiltered expression of self. With the release of his debut project, 23, in 2024, Thompson introduced it as a sonic reflection of his artistic headspace, a chance to shed the restraints that come with success in this industry. In 2025, Thompson released I love you, trackstar, a 14-song LP recorded in a cabin in Michigan in just two weeks.
The title track from the latest Stinkus album is an ethereal yet relatable preview of a magical LP brimming with alt-pop excellence. “I love you, trackstar” blends colorful pop percussion with the lo-fi warmth of Thompson’s vocals, creating otherworldly yet palpable textures that uplift the spirit. There is a brightness to this performance that clears grey storm clouds out of an ominous sky, a sort of poetic justice that rights the wrongs, even if only for a little bit. Thompson’s unrelenting songwriting bleeds with vulnerability, but “I love you, trackstar” is not the moment we find our hero succumbing to mental strain. The title track from Thompson’s sophomore effort as Stinkus introduces us to a fearless musician unafraid of putting his most tender thoughts under the spotlight, showcasing a rare and brutal honesty in an era where it feels like a lost art.
“The song ‘I love you, trackstar’ is a love letter to myself for trying my hardest over and over again, even when I failed and want to die,” explains Thompson. “It’s kind of a conversation between the devil and angel on my shoulders, but they’re both me, and I’m also me.”
