Crafted during a journey of profound heartache and existential uncertainty, When We Were Looking stands as the unfiltered expression of a wanderer's soul. Louisa Stancioff, who traversed Alaska, California, New York, and North Carolina before returning to her roots in Maine, pours her raw emotions into every lyric and melody.

Said Stancioff of her captivating debut for Yep Roc, “There are times in life when you’re so present, so fully immersed in the moment that you can catch a glimpse of another universe, of a realm beyond our own. It might last for a second or an hour, it might come in the midst of bliss or sadness, you might be alone or with a lover, but when it happens, there’s nothing quite like it.”

Drawing from personal turmoil, When We Were Looking unfolds as a poignant exploration of pain, healing, acceptance, and growth. Stancioff's lyricism paints vivid scenes, each song a character study steeped in emotion. With producer and keyboardist Sam Kassirer (known for his work with Josh Ritter and Craig Finn), the album evolves into an immersive tapestry of guitar and synth, perfectly complementing Stancioff's narrative.

The result is a dreamy, nostalgic album that blurs the boundaries between indie introspection and folk authenticity. It echoes influences from Phoebe Bridgers and Arlo Parks to Big Thief and Waxahatchee, finding solace and beauty amidst the wreckage of grief and renewal. It is a cathartic journey, a Polaroid snapshot of longing and resilience.