OPEN THE SKY | Stray Song!

In a future too distant to measure, in a city lost to time, a lone stray cat finds themselves trapped in the mysterious ‘Walled City 99’ after a fall. In BlueTwelve Studio’s ‘Stray’ and with the help of your new drone guide B12, you must guide this cat home and along the way discover the secrets of this ancient city and its society of automaton ‘Companions’ left behind for millennia since humanity long since ceased to be…
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I’m back! That ‘scheduled vacation’ I mentioned in my previous video was much needed and much enjoyed but I’m excited to be back and working on a heap of new and upcoming projects! This being the first! For certain a smaller project to facilitate that time away, this song was written and recorded, with the video mostly completed before I left and now I’m back just took a little more work to have ready for you.
It's certainly the saddest/most emotionally intense song I’ve uploaded to the channel in a long, long time. In truth this song was written on August 5th, which not only was my birthday but also the day of Nerdcore Party Con, an event I had been looking forward to performing at for years after it had been delayed several times due to the Pandemic. And an event I would have been attending had it not been for the Covid I had contracted the day before my flight on the 3rd.
Alone and isolating as the friends I had been desperate to see were partying on the other side of the world and with my US vacation cancelled (though thankfully later rescheduled the following month, sans the convention) I tried to write a song to distract myself. But I guess I needed an emotional outlet and it turned out to be this song.
I sat down with the intent of writing first and foremost about the cat. But ultimately, I didn’t have much interesting to say about the cat. The cat is adorable but really serves as a vehicle to learn about the world, lore and characters of the forgotten city.
The idea of a city filled with abandoned sentient robots so ancient that they don’t even remember how they gained that sentience was fascinating to me. There are various theories about the Companions and how they came to be, but I found the idea that they simply don’t know and that uncertainty to be what was really interesting. So I chose to write from their perspective, unsure and theorising, based on some of the ideas the Companions put forward in game.
I hope you all enjoyed this slightly heavier and less cat-centric take on the game. It’s not often I flex those more serious writing muscles but I’m very proud of the result. Rest assured, there is some trademark Stupendium brand silliness, bureaucracy and sinister authority figure-ness on the horizon. Stay tuned!
Thanks to all of my fantastic Patrons for supporting the channel and making my videos possible!
#Stray #straygame
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Check out the full Stupendium originals playlist for all of my original songs!
STUPENDIUM ORIGINALS: • STUPENDIUM ORIGINALS
THE STUPENDIUM ON SPOTIFY:
bit.ly/Stupendify
THE STUPENDIUM ON iTUNES:
bit.ly/StupendiTunes
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Lyrics and Vocals by The Stupendium
Video by The Stupendium & Lizzy CJ
Beat produced by @DansonnBeats
Mixing and mastering by @OxygenBeats
B12 3D Model by Rogerio.F..Alves
"Stray B12" (skfb.ly/owBUs) by Rogerio.F..Alves is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/b....
Stray, its world and characters are the property of BlueTwelve Studio and Annapurna Interactive.
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Drop me a tweet? @TheStupendium
The Stupendium is a musician, animator and content creator, creating weird, wonderful and usually incredibly nerdy songs and animations. Join them on their journey to obscure, niche internet stardom! They have some pretty decent videos, wonderful facial hair and a great sense of discomfort describing themselves in the third person.

[@TheStupendium]

LYRICS: VERSE 1 (B12): It’s cold and it’s dark Keeping hold of a spark They sealed us away They were keeping us safe But as years creep to age There’s a hole in the ark Lost in circuits and screens And imperfect machines I course through the wires And optical fibres Wait for an outsider To come set me free So maybe you’re the saviour I’ve been praying for? Fluffier than anticipated but I’ll take it, sure I’ve sent you these lights through this unending night If my memory is right, I’ve never strayed before So bring me online, I’ve been locked inside Between the neon lights we are lost to time It’ll be alright, I can be your guide Beneath a sea of silence and a concrete sky CHORUS: To all those left deep inside these walls Their lone hope rests in your tiny paws Where the night extends and the time sits paused This home won’t mend till the sky here falls Won’t you open the sky for me? Won’t you open the sky? Won’t you open the sky for me? Won’t you open the sky? VERSE 2 (THE COMPANIONS): They say your future’s in the stars, so what are we to do? When the stars just form a circle, so your future is a loop Eternity of servitude with no one left to serve it to You could've turned us off before these sewers turned to tombs We turned into you - Now we grapple with the syntax Humanity was doomed but we have to pay your sin tax Mimic every routine trying to be all you’ve been Trying to find a new dream sifting through your bin bags Why we do the things we do is truly half the riddle Maybe you were living proof intelligence is artificial? Built this place to keep you safe and then the haven changed to grave But left us sentience by mistake? Well that’s hardly civil At least, we think you did, that’s what we seem to be Is this gift a glitch that twisted free of bland obediency? Or are our souls a mix of ceaseless tangled frequencies? Chewing up and spitting memories in random sequences? All our thoughts, all we feel? Ones and noughts trapped in steel? Something more, something real? Threaded code caught in a wheel That spins an algorithmic tapestry Of what it thinks we have to be A Frankenstein of fragments Fractal pattern personalities If imitation’s flattery, perhaps that’s why you wired it in A parlour trick to keep the systems ticking whilst they’re idling So can it be that deep inside there’s more than code you’ll find within Or are our minds and lives alike just combing the recycle bin? If love is emulated, would we find it just as sweet? Where lies the defining line ‘twixt binary and grief? Is the nature of what’s real in how it starts or how it feels? So if the past can’t be revealed perhaps what matters is belief? We live eternal with our circuits running laps Until our servos burn out and we, purposeless, collapse Or society's detritus tries to rise and find a life outside But how are we supposed to manage that? Oh... There’s a cat? To all those left deep inside these walls Their lone hope rests in your tiny paws Where the night extends and the time sits paused This home won’t mend till the sky here falls Won’t you open the sky for me? Won’t you open the sky? Won’t you open the sky for me? Won’t you open the sky? VERSE 3: So stray from the light, stray from the path Stray through the night, stray through the dark Stray from the safety of what’s known Stray till you save me, Stray till you’re home Stray for an ending, stray for a start Stray for a future exhumed from the sparks Stray till we suture the wounds of the past Stray for the tools Noah doomed to the ark Stray for a chance, stray for a purpose For the discarded, stray for the worthless Stray for the last of us made to endure it Stray for the lost on the way to the surface Stray for a city and slip through the seams Stray for the sun that we’ve seen on the screens Stray so that one day we might feel its beams Stray for tomorrow. Stray for a dream. Won’t you open the sky for me? Won’t you open the sky? Won’t you open the sky for me? Won’t you open the sky? Won’t you open the sky for me? Won’t you open the sky? Won’t you open the sky for me? Won’t you open the sky?

[@GoingToAFuneral]

This slaps so far

[@mrtubs8440]

I think a no man’s sky song would be quite good

[@Xhero-fe2fd]

awesome as always stups!!!

[@rxrou6872]

aaaaa

[@zan821]

worst thing about this song is that the subtitles are in english instead of french or russain smh 0/10 you fell off

[@FireStorm5713]

I love how you captured how human the robots are with the end of their verse going from heavy philosophy to “Oh, there’s a cat” like a flip of a switch. I have legitimately had a moment of being deep in thought, see a cat, and then completely losing my train of thought because of said cat.

[@davidwalters5634]

That is so true. 😹

[@gabeschugardt5710]

I like that the line has a sort of double meaning there. "But how do we manage that? Oh... there's a cat" works both as getting distracted by the cute cat and as the cat is the answer.

[@Lumberjack_king]

Lol yeah but I personally do that when I see any animal

[@Mark73]

That is how cats do.

[@alastor6673]

It’s just the way of the human to think with so much power and then get distracted by something so simple as a cat 😊, we truly are weird creatures ~Alastor

[@HiroshiMizushima]

What struck me hardest was the quiet sense of rage building within the song. The desperate reaching, _clawing_ for the surface, the stars that aren't aligned in a circular pattern. It starts out softer, slower, and builds in a crescendo emotion. Also there's a cat. 🐈😻

[@idontknoq4813]

ceat

[@idontknoq4813]

caet.

[@RustyKnightGaming]

The cat is the most important part

[@justapairofnuts]

I found this too. It actually made me shiver towards to end from that passion put into it.

[@kracerplays]

"clawing" pun intended?

[@Connection_Error-px7bn]

I don't know if anyone else noticed this, but from around 4:00 the use of "stray" sounds like pray and that is just absolutely genius

[@TheStupendium]

You might be the first to catch that! 🧡

[@pgilbert5676]

​@@TheStupendium❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@pgilbert5676]

😢❤

[@PowerSkunk92]

I notice, about the same time "stray" starts sounding like "pray", we're shown a side-on shot of the cat climbing first onto a small vehicle, then hopping up onto an awning. Every time afterward, whenever the cat is shown, he's seen from below. The robots are even looking up. The robots' posture, the cat's perhaps-symbolic climb, and feel of the lyrics and imagery together turn the cat almost turn the cat into an angelic figure.

[@claptrapp.claptrappington7624]

God I cannot express how much i adore the lyric: "They say your future's in the stars, so what are we to do, when the stars just form a circle so your future is a loop?" So beautiful and tragically poetic

[@Muffinatito]

Glad I'm not the only one Also "Eternity of servitude with no one left to serve it to" and "Grappling with the syntax now we have to pay your sin tax" are also completely raw and awesome

[@lily_pad1]

He started singing that same sentence when I read it lol

[@_-drowsy-_]

Oh my god. This isn’t just about robots. This is about the chemical responses of our HUMAN brains. We are literally just what he think we should be. You don’t cry at a funeral because you are sad, you cry because your brain says you should be. Emotions are nothing but a chemical response to try your keep us alive. Your default brain doesn’t have any emotions. You make up emotions out of sheer boredom, your whole life is a play, a lie. You can control how you feel. The “sad? Don’t be!” Is actually VALID! The answer to sadness is RIGHT THERE.

[@Beacon80]

Came here to say the same thing. Stupendium is an amazing wordsmith.

[@Aveius__]

"Stupendium is an amazing wordsmith." Sir/Madam this must be a typo, I'm sure you meant _Adequate_ Wordsmith!

[@jobot0114]

A different kind of technological dystopia song than we're used to out of Stupes, but an amazing one nonetheless. You never cease to impress us.

[@jmurray1110]

Yeah a lot less capitalist rot than normal

[@leadpaintchips9461]

@@jmurray1110 TBH this feels like the final destination for humanity in that capitalist dystopian track. When some corp lets their greed and hubris release their doomsday weapon without someone inventing the 'save humanity' button.

[@jmurray1110]

@@leadpaintchips9461 well unless we overthrow capitalism

[@leadpaintchips9461]

@@jmurray1110 tbh we're not at a dystopian capitalistic world, so I think we're safe from that currently.

[@jmurray1110]

@@leadpaintchips9461 not yet but that’s only because the regulations haven’t been fullly removed yet I say we take he necessary precautions before we get another global warming style scenario

[@iondelta5659]

Not a single human face, yet you managed to convey and make me feel every emotion. I guess this means I am not as artificial as i once thought.

[@jamjar1726]

you... have no face?

[@SpectralArchivist]

@@jamjar1726 They meant in the video.

[@gamesandglory1648]

How did this make you feel lust/horny?

[@jamjar1726]

@@SpectralArchivist he said "I guess this means I am not as artificial as i once thought." witch implies he has no face.

[@yoahnoah9780]

@@jamjar1726 ? how does artificial mean no face???

[@foxxygradius7858]

Oh. I was under the impression this was just a cute game about being a cat in a cyberpunk city. I did not expect to get whallopped between the eyes by an existential nightmare. Goddamnit Stupendium.

[@christinahull1723]

You didn't notice it in the game? Of course this song really focuses in on one of the interesting and disturbing aspects of the story and background. I was kind of blown away by how deep the game actually was.

[@foxxygradius7858]

@@christinahull1723 I hadn't actually played the game. I just knew you played as a cat and assumed (INCORRECTLY) that there's only so deep the plot can be in a game where you play as a CAT XD

[@christinahull1723]

​@@foxxygradius7858 idky I somehow misread your comment like you played the game and didn't pay attention to the story lol

[@foxxygradius7858]

@@christinahull1723 Oh yeah no I'm pretty dense but I'm not THAT dense XD

[@chansesturm7103]

@@foxxygradius7858 Don't be too hard on yourself, now. I'm sure you're not as dense as you think you are.

[@TheAdvertisement]

Omg I am _loving_ the metaphor you created by drawing a parallel between you being a stray cat, and "straying" from the path. It lets the cat protagonist shine as a symbol of hope for all of the robots who wish to be free, saying that they'll stray with it. Stray from the dark, from their programming, from this dystopia they've been trapped and looping through for millions of years. To finally follow a different path, with the stray and B-12 at the forefront. Beautiful writing.

[@TheStupendium]

Thank you so much! I thought it was an interesting parallel I'd not yet seen explored. :)

[@TheAdvertisement]

@@TheStupendium Keep pushing new horizons Stu! :D

[@underkiller6875]

you do know the ending can be interperated as bad due to the virus things still being alive if that shit spreads it basically dooms the planet.

[@Lazarultos]

@@underkiller6875 They die to sunlight and a massive chunk of their colony dies the moment you open the sky. Sure some might survive underground but they're gonna have a hard time spreading around when night is the only time they can move on the surface, and the robots have access to solar power and tech now to clean up their city and purge the surrounding area too.

[@underkiller6875]

@@Lazarultos but the the ones that grew into walls are not affected by UV meaning they are evovling so yes if they get on purging it with holy fire yes it woudlnt be a bad eneding but we dont know that

[@techno_shock7397]

One of my favorite things about Stupendium's writing is that he is able to make such heartfelt songs out of left field. I would have expected a song focused on the cat, but I couldn't be happier that he chose the companions. Keep at it Stups, at this point you are unable to disappoint me with the quality that you put into your videos. Let alone the bops that they truly are

[@somedude4087]

cat still gets his shine

[@tnarwhal]

just wanted to say that Stupes officially goes by they/them according to their twitter (and I agree! these songs really resonate with you)

[@AceOfBlackjack]

@@tnarwhalOh that is killer! Stupendium is a vibe so don't know why I would think different than elderitch for them.

[@zacharysimmons4115]

"Stray for the tools Noah doomed to the Ark." I don't know why, but this line hits really hard for me. The idea that this place that was built to save people has only succeeded in becoming a prison for the ones responsible for building it...heart wrenching. It also reminds me of 'The Angel's Egg,' if you've ever seen it, for reasons I won't spoil for those who haven't. Suffice it to say the line fits it well.

[@zoealanna3603]

I could not quite place why this song hit as hard as it did, but I think it finally clicked. You have this absolutely amazing second verse that perfectly encapsulates the post-apocalyptic despair of the world presented in the game, and as it goes on it feels like it just gets more and more hopeless and angry and volatile, and then "Oh. There's a cat." I think it hits just right because it isn't just applicable to the game. So many times I've had moments where I feel like life is going to break me, and the despair is gonna set in. And then there's a cat, just this little adorable kitty named Garth that doesn't care how heavy things are. He just wants attention and that's enough to make the rest of it not matter for a minute. It's that little bit of hope in the wake of everything else that makes it all just a little less heavy, and it's presented perfectly with 4 words. Thanks for making me cry, Stupes, I definitely needed it. 10/10 song as always!

[@AnIdiotsLantern]

Buddy, two things 1. You’re amazing thank you for what you said 2. You cannot simply mention “an adorable kitty named Garth” without paying the cat tax!! Show us the kitty antidepressant! Cat cat cat cat !

[@joeaureli8651]

My friend, you now have words to how an NPC feels. We've all felt that way. There's a reason this song is in my top 30 and I still view the video.

[@_-drowsy-_]

Oh my god. This isn’t just about robots. This is about the chemical responses of our HUMAN brains. We are literally just what he think we should be. You don’t cry at a funeral because you are sad, you cry because your brain says you should be. Emotions are nothing but a chemical response to try your keep us alive. Your default brain doesn’t have any emotions. You make up emotions out of sheer boredom, your whole life is a play, a lie. You can control how you feel. The “sad? Don’t be!” Is actually VALID! The answer to sadness is RIGHT THERE.

[@Atticus_drawings]

*Stray* from the light *Stray* from the path *Stray* through the night *Stray* through the dark *Stray* from the safety of what’s known *Stray* till you save me *Stray* till you’re home *Stray* for an ending *Stray* for a start *Stray* for a future exhumed from the sparks *Stray* till we suture the wounds of the past *Stray* for the tools Noah doomed to the ark *Stray* for a chance *Stray* for a purpose For the Discarded *Stray* for the worthless *Stray* for the last of us made to endure it *Stray* for the lost on the way to the surface *Stray* for a city and slip through the seams *Stray* for the sun that we’ve seen on our screens *Stray* so that one day we might feel it’s beams *Stray* for tomorrow *Stray* for a dream Man I love this song

[@jmkool01]

Find and replace all: "Stray" => "Pray" Now go read it again :)

[@flame_warp]

As a certified Lover Of When Robots Are People (they're just handin' 'em out these days) this one hits HARD, in a really good way. Also, as someone who didn't actually know anything about this game's plot before, this does a really good job of communicating everything you need to know for the themes and references to still work.

[@hellothere-nv8gc]

hey fellow robot with human level sentience enjoyed

[@theyofmanynames]

Hello fellow lover of when robots are people!

[@amythetoon6535]

glad to see my fellow robot lovers here

[@azulira5940]

If you're looking for book recs, I enjoyed Murderbot Diaries

[@hackr6751]

If EnjoysSapientRobots == True: Print("Hell yeah!")

[@wiliam7095]

I like how the song is not entirely about the cat, but more about the robots and how long they have been trapped and alone. Great song and my new personal favourite! :D

[@toastytoaster974]

To be fair, most cats don't sing

[@GriffinPilgrim]

@@toastytoaster974 They do, just not well.

[@vally_mally]

@@GriffinPilgrim How dare you lmao, cats have the most lovely voice as they sing to you the song of their ancestors at 3 am 😂

[@Zeiru]

Generally speaking, your dystopian corporate songs are usually my favorite. Thank you for this music video. I can't wait to see what you have in store for the next one!

[@TheStupendium]

Thank you so so much! I really appreciate it! :D

[@karolakaradebolag]

not sure if this is what you mean but *Cough cough* nook line and sinker *cough cough*

[@Zeiru]

Nook Line and Sinker, The House Always Wins, Ad Infinitum, THE DATA STREAM (Thank you, Arasaka Corp.), THE FINE PRINT (Thank you H.H.C.). Just all of those 'evil company' themes really strike it with me.

[@acatbythenameofmeow5563]

Neco Corp counts as a dystopian corporate riiiiiiiiiiight ♻ ♻

[@Zeiru]

@@acatbythenameofmeow5563 It counts to me, nyan~!

[@binoluninia]

“To all those left deep inside these walls. Their lone hope rests in your tiny paws. Where the night extends and the time sits paused. This home won’t mend till the sky here falls.” Definitely gotta be favorite part! It’s so sad yet kinda mysterious in a way, especially if you are creative and think of different scenarios for the lyrics! 😄

[@tammywhitson4164]

Its my fav too! It just fits!

[@bloxx1855]

At the risk of sounding repetetive, this is incredible!

[@aclaymushroomwithaberet7084]

agreed

[@psycless]

At the risk of sounding repetetive, this is incredible!

[@saphira_]

I don't know how you do it, but every song you release becomes my new favourite. Each and everyone is so consistently high in quality and super catchy, its honestly astounding how you manage to keep this up but I am beyond grateful you do!

[@Mr-wd2wn]

this is basically me

[@denverarnold6210]

I still find it hard to top the pace and insanity of Ad Infinitum.

[@Mr-wd2wn]

@@denverarnold6210 and then you have me who raps the fast part for fun

[@denverarnold6210]

@@Mr-wd2wn I've tried that almost every time, and I can't fucking keep up. It's impressive as hell.

[@proflns8558]

Literal chills. It was a magical moment when the chorus started singing "Open the sky" and your voice melted into chesty, pained cries coming through both ears. The sound was reminiscent of the final line in Toybox. Also, I knew absolutely nothing about Stray before this song, and now I want to know more.

[@gatherer818]

I've been meaning to play it forever and this song made me go actually load it up :) it's short but good.

[@AnthonyA1995]

That sound is called vocal fry in singing. It's part of how we know he's talented as fuck at signing on top of everything else. Vocal fry is mostly used in hard rock and metal and it's... hard. Took me a good month to learn.

[@proflns8558]

@@AnthonyA1995 Thanks for the info! Yeah, I have no idea how I would make that sound

[@synchrosentity]

I do hope you got around to experiencing more of stray. This song honestly does so much to make one ponder what the game has to hold. It has one of my personal favorite stories for any kind of modern game

[@opinionatedfoxl8369]

TL:DP cat hangs out with robots and acts uncatlike

[@mzc_crazy3769]

"So maybe you’re the saviour I’ve been praying for? Fluffier than anticipated but I’ll take it, sure" Love it

[@mr_bark7247]

I absolutely ADORED the second verse. It feels like a philosophical discussion about the very nature of the companions existence that flows like water, only to end in “Oh… there’s a cat?’ Absolutely brilliant

[@therobinflieseast]

I love the vibe of this so much. A desperation and quietness. The final 'will you open the skies' have such a feeling to them. Another amazing song stupes! Certain to have this on loop for the next few hours!

[@sarahkatenoel]

There's a verse that's really give me lyrical vibes from the "control" song ... only it ends in "Oh! There's a cat!". Also, it's my birthday today, and I love scifi dystopia stuff, cats, and Stupendium lyrics, so I'm declaring this my new birthday song forever

[@TheStupendium]

Happy Birthday! :D

[@RockmanSolid]

God, this is infectious with how real it is. Gotta say, there's something about a song made from missing a flight asking to open the sky. Definitely found a new earworm.

[@AchievedZeus574]

This game hit me pretty hard, I never thought it could have such twists and turns that it did. I came for the cat and stayed for the story. The ending was sad but beautiful. I think you did an amazing job of portraying that feeling throughout the song.

[@YanntastischGER]

This song was goosebumps. The video made it hit even more. I feel so sorry you could not participate in that event and that's why you came to writing a much sadder song. Also I think you implemented the cat really fine. Such a nice song describing the thoughts of the companions and the cat being their only hope.

[@blakksheep736]

What event?

[@Adziel]

@@blakksheep736 check the description

[@ahumbleoperatormcn3548]

Try it at 0.75 speed. It not only sounds even more hopeless, but it also gives it a "Robotic theme" with how makes the robot sound more static

[@vincentgonzalez6115]

Stu, This is honestly such a BANGER The beat is simple yet allows for more dense lyrics when needed, The lyrical flips, such as "Syntax" into "Sin Tax" and "Servitude" into "Serve it to" are such tight and amazing lines, And the philosophical breakdown from the perspective of AI after the first Chorus, Oh. Chef's kiss. You continue to impress since your first song, and as an audience member, it's obvious that heart, soul, passion, and nothing less than everything is put into making these quality. I'm glad you were able to take a break, And I can't wait to see what's next :)

[@pastatheh7041]

ah yes, boneappletea.

[@Cannon2541]

Well said.

[@opinionatedfoxl8369]

and i like "we know what you own and we own what you know"

[@Jack-fh3wm]

nah the best part is when he started rhyming with real its so epic

[@candicraveingcloude2822]

@@pastatheh7041 are you mocking the commenter? Cause I know what that is.....

[@antaresthirdeldenlord4840]

I do love how in Stray, the robots do not hate the humans, they respect and to a degree, love them. I love this song Stupes!

[@leirbag1595]

It's interesting how they view the humans They call them "The softs" and credit them as ancestors and the architects of the city, on top of basing their culture heavily on how humans once were.

[@RisaxTheImp]

Sad, upbeat...it doesn't matter to me, a Stupendium song is always a good listen. I hope you enjoyed your vacation and keep up the fantastic work! 👍

[@chewchew1984]

IKR it's a beautiful melody, The perfect Mix of sad and upbeat... PERFECT.

[@ahumbleoperatormcn3548]

Try it at 0.75 speed. Now it just sounds depressing. At 1.25, you suddenly feel like you're being hunted down while opening the sky

[@chr_fish]

Although this was supposed to be something small, it’s awesome! I don’t understand how you made this!! The song is awesome, the lyrics are incredible, my face turn into a heart instantly when I heard those vocals!! Oh gosh! I was waiting for songs like this from stray! You made something beautiful and I’m in love with what you did on blender! All was really cool!! Congratulations 🧡😸🧡

[@GreenStorm8200]

You've made so many dystopian songs in the past. Hell, some of the times, you made dark and dystopian songs for games that aren't even originally dark. But this is honestly just something different. I mean, you can just feel the emotion building up more and more as it progresses, trying to figure out it's purpose. This is just flatout amazing. "Eternity of servitude with no left to serve it to." had to point out the godlike writing ofc

[@rainbowsnek]

"Is the nature of what’s real in how it starts or how it feels?" i really love this line, i feel like it encapsulates the concept of virtual intelligence pretty damn well

[@goodfarsight5212]

Won't lie, I hadn't even considered you'd make a song about Stray. The thought never crossed my mind, but you did and man am I glad you did. I will never understand how you all can make such incredible songs and videos one after the other.

[@alastor6673]

I know right, of all games this one just kind of snuck up on me ~Alastor

[@ahumbleoperatormcn3548]

Agreed! I didn't even know Stray existed until this song. I then proceeded to download and finish the game XD

[@pikathemimikyu6655]

Same

[@ambriasaunders1869]

When Dan Bull's Stray song came out, I was hoping they'd make one, too! I love it! They did a beautiful job!

[@adenhickman5780]

@@alastor6673 Alastor I was not expecting to see my favorite 40k character and my 2nd favorite hasbin character in one place

[@ashestoashesdusttodust_]

This song literally hit me in the feels. The game was a masterpiece, and so is this :)

[@banshee46]

It's interesting how often I find your "downer" songs to be the most uplifting. In this case it's the idea of an eternity of stasis being repaired by just one little thing. Changing understanding in just one tiny way. And then things happen, and keep happening, and then the sky's opened. Of course, I haven't actually *played* Stray, so maybe that's affecting my opinion :P

[@timsplosion]

Your opinion is pretty spot on, you've basically got the idea of the game. The song just does that good of a job of communicating the themes and particularly the existential nightmare of the Companions along with B12's desire to open the walled city to the world again.

[@pastelguts6182]

This is probably Stupendiums best song along with The Fine Print. Don't get me wrong I love all of Stupendiums songs, but this is the first one to get me legitimately teary eyed since the fine print. Perfect for a game about the legacy of humanity and the beauty that lies within all life - artificial or otherwise. IK Stup's reads a lot of his comments so I'm just gonna say, no one nowadays is making songs like you do. Your wordplay and messages are amazing and genuinely heartfelt. We can see all the love you put into each track. Sometimes your music makes me sit and think about how my life is going and how I'm living it. I hope I get to listen to your music for as long as you're willing to share this part of yourself with all of us. Thank you

[@EpicJosh84]

Woah, the vibes hit me right out the gate with this one! "Maybe you were living proof intelligence is artificial" goes hard, can't even lie. I can tell this is gonna be another great addition to the list. Amazing work, Stupes!

[@jaynuisenpuff8340]

This song makes such good use of subtler sounds and still keeps that Stupendium feel. It feels more like a combination between your older works and newer ones. It's such a good song.

[@carson9464]

3:08 Greg: goes into actual morals of AI Also Greg: CAT…

[@TheKonstantin87]

Before this song, my favorite chorus had to be the one from "Slide into the Void". But this... this speaks volumes. For a small project, it's ripe with feeling and emotion. It's beautiful. All.Time.Favourite. Right here. Also the first video for which I am a patron. I've never actually noticed just how many people support on Patreon, but it makes me happy, because it is well deserved.

[@TheStupendium]

Thank you so much! For the kind words AND the support! :D

[@Blader9812]

Even smaller projects maintain the quality of the larger ones. Calmer song with a hint of uncertainty. Incredible work Kittendium.

[@Shayhammowolf]

Chills. Literal chills. I've been purposely avoiding everything to do with Stray for the purpose of spoilers, but this just... Hits different. How do you tell the story of our real world experiences with just... Such simple concepts but complex performances? It's much somber than expected, and I am 100% here for it. Thanks for your work, Stupes!

[@mangotap]

I've listened to this song at least 50 times but I just now while farming a game actually listened to the lyrics and holy crap I cried, this song is so deep and questions whether AI can reach sentience or just mimic it, its a possible dilemma we will face in the future and its honestly a beautiful song

[@qcumberSodazz]

THEY'VE DONE IT AGAIN FOLKS Absolutely incredible wordplay, catchy, and fits the vibe of Stray impeccably!

[@masrock9203]

This hit in the feels - the story of the game alone was powerful, but hearing it rendered into these beautiful lyrics amplifies it so much. Beautiful song, Stu. Thank you.

[@SorcerorNobody]

Can't believe you didn't sign off at the end with "bye for meow", 0/10 Jokes aside, a nice change of pace that captures the melancholy yet hopeful feel of a fantastic game. Great work as always!

[@davidvandersterre]

3:47 dear lord do I love this verses rhythm.

[@dddragoni]

I tear up a bit every time I listen to this. It captures such a tangible sense of desperation and desperation, tinged with just a little bit of hope. Also Syntax -> Sin Tax is incredible wordplay

[@Popliiiiiiiiii]

Stupendium must be a lab creation because there’s no way a human can make banger after banger after banger. Amazing as always Stupendium

[@thekingofgoldfish]

You were able to manage to make a song that I’m actually starting to tear up too. I keep trying to hold and keep emotions in check but this one hits beats that ultimately I live with. I haven’t even played Stray or seen much of outside you play as a cat and yet somehow I feel like you captured so much of what makes the game and still an original creation that anyone can listen too without context. You truly are stupendous. Keep it up you mustached machine.

[@behcuh]

You captured the feeling of Stray so absolutely beautifully and as someone who cried when i played the game, you did it one hell of a justice here.

[@maaxorus]

Well, definitely a song that makes me feel a lot of feelings, especially the companions' verse. Loved the themes in that one. And of course, it can't be a Stupendium song without some playful rhyme schemes that I'm definitely gonna trip over while trying to sing along. Fantastic work, friend!

[@galaxytoaster9679]

Im in love with the desolate feeling of this song, you sang every part so well and I applaud you. Thank you for all the wonderful work you do

[@jubileechambers2604]

As someone who played the game and loved it and as someone who is dealing with depression this really resonates. It rides that fine line between desperation and hope. A sense of intense dark spiraling and catching those glimpses of hope that ease those dark spirals. And the drive to keep pushing through to "Open the Sky"

[@julesnar1175]

That "syntax" "sin tax" rhyme was unreal. It always amazes me how amazingly crafted the lyrics are

[@PettyCrustacean]

Another soulfilled banger that makes sure I never stray far away from Stupes brilliance ❤️

[@RussanoGreenstripe]

The circuit/loop parallels are a nice thematic touch, and that syntax rhyme - the kind of complex lyrics that come out perfectly is a Stupendium trademark. Great work!

[@davidvandersterre]

I bought the game and after a rough start (navigating past those little mouse-droids and spamming meow is tougher than it looks) I really enjoyed being a cat. My real life companion 😺 got hit by a car recently, and I must say life got 'normal' again way to easily. I already have to think really hard to remember his purr and head rubs😢.

[@Surtak]

The effects on the voice, with the offset backing vocals and that electronic warble YET SO SPARKLY CLEAN. Mister Stupendium you make my evening sparkle and shimmer!

[@silverscorpio24]

Loved how the existential rambling cut off when he saw the cat ❤

[@iamnohere]

I: Huh... Never played this game yet, and yet the song almost makes me cry on every listen. Beautiful

[@mudfish6861]

Can’t believe I’m only just now seeing this, but it’s incredible. You may just have convinced me to get Stray like you did with Control. Amazing work again Stupes

[@tylerowens]

Your lyrics are just so clever every time. It's a delight to listen and try to absorb all you're doing. I particularly liked the word play of syntax and sin tax.

[@spectregoesboo5233]

I've never even played Stray but this makes me yearn to do so! amazing work, as always 👏 🙌

[@banaman7746]

It's a great game, you should... definitely not perfect but worth it.

[@stopboorider]

gosh, back when Stray was first announced I was like "omg, can't believe they're making a game for specifically me" and then when I played it, again just kept being hit with "omg, they made a game, specifically, for me..." and now I have found this song and will probably listen to it nonstop because of course somehow you shoved all my favourite things to show up in music that I love into it AND ALSO IT DOESN'T TRIGGER MY MYSOPHONIA LIKE SO MANY OTHER GLITCHY SONGS DO, TRUELY A WONDER, CLEARLY MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR ME,

[@TheStupendium]

As a fellow misophonia sufferer, you're welcome. :)

[@Prof_pie]

DAAAMMMN another banger from one of my favorite song artists?! AND it's related to STRAY?! HELL YEAH!

[@nathanevans1938]

This is one of the most emotional things I've ever experienced, truly astounding as always.

[@ChezDispenser]

Holy HELL that CHORUS, that ENDING, the way you layered that over the last verse 10/10, no notes, fantastic

[@cluckdonald5441]

Bro the line “ in a sea of silence and a concrete sky” is so deep

[@TimSoarer]

I am a bit late to the party since I deliberately choose not to listen to the song before playing the game as to not spoil it, but I finally finished Stray a few days ago and I want to say, you once again managed to perfectly recreate the feelings that me and probably many other people felt while exploring the game's world for the first time.

[@tiltedep6034]

Absolutely loving the vibes and atmosphere of this song! You've made a lot of crazy suspenseful schemes but ending the rap intense verse with 'Oh there's a cat.' tops it for me.

[@jacksonlee6760]

I love how the song reflects the fact that even on the verge of apocalypse, when you add something cute and fluffy things will seem at least a little bit better.

[@xXtha]

Every few weeks I come back to this song. I think it's one of my favourite's from you. I love the song itself, but the lyrics are a triumph in their own right. 1:43-3:13 is a minute and a half of absolutely masterful poetic lyrics, probably some of the best I've ever heard. Every line is beautiful. I've listened to this song no less than 50 times and it still makes me tear up because of how absolutely perfect the movement and artfulness of every syllable is and because of how emotional the meaning is. I don't know if you read comments, but I hope you know how absolutely incredible your lyrical work is. Usually I'd go more in depth about my favourite lines, but every single line is as good as the last. It's a big inspiration for me.

[@rhetz1562]

I absolutely love the last part Between the repeated line of wont you open the sky and them "straying" its like centuries of built up emotions are being let out at once

[@homegrownwookie7589]

The lyrical genius of verse 2 just amazes me. I've been a long time fan of yours and Dan Bull and I think this is one of the most amazing verses I've heard in a long while. I mean... "Eternity of servitude with no one left to serve it to" "We turned into you - Now we grapple with the syntax Humanity was doomed but we have to pay your sin tax" "Or are our souls a mix of ceaseless tangled frequencies? Chewing up and spitting memories in random sequences? All our thoughts, all we feel? Ones and noughts trapped in steel?" "A Frankenstein of fragments Fractal pattern personalities" "If love is emulated, would we find it just as sweet? Where lies the defining line ‘twixt binary and grief?" "We live eternal with our circuits running laps Until our servos burn out and we, purposeless, collapse" I love the whole verse, but just highlighting my favorite lines this feels like something Shakespeare would write if he were alive today.

[@elektrikpulse9706]

My man wasnt kidding about the tonal whiplash compared to the last few songs but this legend never ceases to amaze and Impress! Hoping to see a "Cult of the Lamb" song soon!

[@a_sapphic_girl4566]

After Stray finally came to Xbox I was able to play it and since completing it I have been able to listen to this song after having to avoid it for so long because of spoilers and it was worth the wait! Your song captures both the desperation of the robots for something outside their normal, for THE outside, while also including parts that are more somberly accepting their condition, like when we first meet Momo or Seamus. These characters were trying to find a way to stray from what’s happened and get back what they want and gave up until we showed that it was possible. I also absolutely love your wordplay in this one. “Eternity of servitude with no one left to serve it to” and “Now we grapple with the syntax, Humanity was doomed but we have to pay your sin tax” are such beautiful constructed lines I would expect nobody besides you to be able to come up with. Beautiful work Stupes

[@abigailblackstock4928]

I love this song! Gotta say, favorite lines: "a little fluffier than I expected, but I'll take it, sure" and "oh, there's a cat". Just freaking gold. You're impressive! Honestly, I see it as more of a hopeful song than "depressing". It's "I want more than this, and you can bring that, please do". Just *chef's kiss* beautiful!!!

[@angibrat2757]

Bretz told me to "prepare my crying glasses" and even though the average Stupes release brings me emotional tears. I still went pfft okay, cat game. I should have known❤ There's so much you're evoking, but something tipped me over the edge. This is the Stupes i haven't heard since FOUR. It's such a beautiful ache

[@jkbutterfly3142]

Stupendium songs are the only form of art that I'll studiously examine like a literature teacher lmao

[@KyleAllenMusic]

Finally getting around to listening to this! I love how it's purposely overtuned to sound like machinery. Also this mix is butter, I love how the vocals are really spread. Amazing job bro! Can't wait for your next song!

[@ggdinohunter1595]

Maybe u should try making a stray song

[@mellissamather8043]

Hey Kyle I love among us song descend

[@lunitariaprime]

"Won't you open the sky for me?" Oh Stupendium, for the eyes of the many long-hidden looked up and beheld the stars, and I could not help but cry at the sheer beauty of a moment you captured, you illustrated, you embossed in verse and tone on the very core of my heart - you have a gift - as another song goes - I love it when you let it shine through

[@inkusalters]

STUPES AAAAAAAAAAAAA Once again you've surpassed every expectation I had. I've been mentally begging you for a Stray song since release day, because it felt right up your alley, and I'm SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS FANTASTIC WORK AS ALWAYS

[@inkusalters]

You liked the comment AND my tweet? I hope you understand how loved and appreciated you are, I'm gonna ride this high for the next month this made my week

[@TheSGL]

This song is such a bop. The vibe, the flow, the lyrics! And of course the theme you've chosen! Amazing work, Stupes!

[@aquamarie3117]

This song is beautiful. It encapsulates rescue from the threat of slowness-no huge calamity to stop, but to lift the remains of the world from eternal ennui and loneliness.

[@baronvonderg]

I played this game and was utterly drawn in. Your music for this has just....ah chef kiss! Im a teary mess from the memory of emotions this game brought me - also the discovery of a trans dimensional cat

[@ThDuck]

The best part about every song of yours is that its atmosphere fits the game it's about to near perfection, your perfect verses, the rate of which you pump one masterpiece after another, truly, hats off to you my good sir.

[@bradleyogilvie8869]

In a year full of highly anticipated sequels of amazing AAA games, a small indie game where you play as a cat is the one that captured our hearts. Amazing song for an amazing game!

[@danceswithmules]

A song that melodically captures the mood and feel of the game. Perfect, as usual for Stupes 😀 Just an added comment: if there is ever a Stray movie, this must be the end-credits song.

[@druid_irltriesgaming]

Stormkeep loves you! thank you for making this happen! I totally didnt cry i swear

[@wonderweavile6679]

God, every single song you create just oozes bottomless amounts of quality to flood our ears! Everything you lay your hands on is sheer beauty! Please don't stop creating such amazing stuff!

[@bluepheonixsoul1553]

Wow I think this is one of your best songs lyrically. I don’t even like the game, but this was beautiful thank you.

[@TheStupendium]

I'm really happy you think so! Thanks so much for the support! :D

[@aguycalledfelix]

Stray is a sad but great game, change my mind.

[@squeet413]

The intelligence behind the lyrics Always blow me away. Chefs kiss 🤌🏻

[@connorbrown2161]

Well...this is delightfully depressing. Fantastically made as always, but as an empathic person, seeing all those robots trapped reliving their long gone masters lives endlessly on repeat hurt. And you really did capture the anger and sorrow of them. I'm a cat person as well, so seeing how the cat factored into the song was great. Keep it up, I'll be here listening to this until my ears fall off!

[@Scarabdrac]

Hands down one of your best, Not much more to say other than it made me buy and play the game the day I first heard it, and now I can't not play it when I see the thumbnail.

[@AirshipsAloft]

I loved the snippets of news reports and the NECO ads! The Companion ad drowning out the announcement that the lockdown had started, closing the last window for anyone to leave the city, was particularly sinister. And "Stray for the tools Noah doomed to the ark" is an incredible line!

[@iropthegamer726]

their lone hope rests in your tiny paws :3 cutest line 3:28 JUST LOOK AT THAT ADORABLE MEOW IF ONLY I COULD HEAR IT

[@seser6255]

The abstract nature of the song and the way you made the music video really captures the mood of the game. Also this song is great