Mending Stars’ new single “No Right Way” is a slow-burning confessional that hits like a quiet storm. Darren Sessions—Salt Lake City’s emotionally articulate pop craftsman—dives deep into the murky waters of relationship pressure, self-doubt, and the aching desire to make peace in a world of no-win scenarios. With his signature blend of atmospheric production and honest lyricism, Sessions gives us not a breakup song, but a song for the in-between, where feelings collide and there’s no clear path forward.

Sonically, “No Right Way” is polished by personal. It starts in subtle pulses—an airy synth pad, restrained percussion, and a beat that gently grooves without overpowering. As the track builds, layers emerge with precision: atmospheric textures that echo Troye Sivan or LANY, coupled with a restrained vulnerability that recalls James Blake or Dean Lewis.

But make no mistake—this is not just a sad pop track. There’s a quiet urgency underneath, a heartbeat of hope trying to push through the weight. Darren’s vocal performance is emotionally measured: never dramatic, but always sincere. His delivery carries the ache of someone who’s been trying to hold everyone together for far too long.

The lyrical core of “No Right Way” lies in emotional paralysis. It’s a song about feeling stuck in the role of peacemaker—between friends, lovers, or family—and slowly losing yourself in the process. The repeated idea that “there’s no right way to make it okay” serves as both confession and surrender.

The lines cut deep without needing embellishment. The honesty is raw, and that’s what gives the track weight—it doesn’t pretend to have answers. It simply sits in the emotional complexity, which makes it universally relatable.

Mending Stars continues to carve a distinct lane in the indie-pop landscape. Darren Sessions writes like someone who’s been through an array of hardships in life and isn’t afraid to admit he doesn’t have it all figured out. That sense of earned vulnerability sets his music apart—it’s confessional but never performative.

With over 200 songs written across more than a decade, his storytelling feels lived-in. “No Right Way” exemplifies the Mending Stars ethos: music for people who feel too much, think too long, and love too hard.

“No Right Way” is not a song of resolution. It’s a mirror held up during the emotional fog, for anyone who’s ever felt caught between doing what’s right for others and protecting their own heart.

It’s soft, but never weak. Heavy, but never hopeless.

For fans of emotional alt-pop with cinematic edges—think Alec Benjamin, FINNEAS, or SYML—Mending Stars’ “No Right Way” offers a deeply personal track that lingers long after the final note fades. It’s a song for the thinkers, the feelers, and everyone who’s ever tried to make peace in a world that keeps pulling them apart.