There are plenty of albums and songs that explore themes of inner struggles, self-doubt, or openly wearing an anxious heart on a sleeve, but it is fascinating when that very internal conflict becomes the foundation, channelled into eleven powerful musical statements.
Meet Austen Starr.
Starr describes herself as a “reluctant Bostonian with a penchant for self‑induced misery,” a “natural contrarian,” and an “anxious wreck.” Taken together, it sounds rather bleak, yet her debut album I Am The Enemy is anything but. The record is surprisingly upbeat and crosses several musical borders, blending hard rock with both classic and contemporary influences and even adding a flourish of pop‑metal (think Avril Lavigne).
Don’t be fooled, though—I Am The Enemy still delivers plenty of hard‑rocking moments. Although the obligatory ballads appear, the album remains well balanced, and the modern, slick production gives all eleven tracks a rich, polished sound.
Starr teams up with none other than Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Revolution Saints, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), who co-wrote, produced, and plays guitar on the album. Rounding out the band are Steve Ferlazzo (Hugo’s Voyage, Avril Lavigne) on keyboards, Chris Collier (Mick Mars, Lita Ford) on drums, and Chloe Lowery (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) on backing vocals.
It makes sense that the opening track makes a bold statement, and Remain Unseen does exactly that. Hoekstra’s winding opening riff quickly shifts into muscular chugging before giving way to the first glimpse of Starr’s breathy vocals, set against Collier’s driving drums. It’s a striking introduction, and its dark, Alice in Wonderland-tinged take on anxiety raises the stakes further, culminating in a solid, anthemic chorus.
From the outset, it is plain to hear that Starr is her own antagonist, the “enemy” and lyrically and almost playfully toys with self-sabotage, vulnerability and self-discovery throughout the songs on album.
Medusa carries both swagger and venom, unfolding in a suave musical setting with an almost haunting rhythm. The track takes the idea of obsession and twists the myth into something far more personal; the title track leans into a pop‑inflected feel, painting the image – as portrayed in the accompanying video – of a younger Starr singing into a hairbrush before morphing into an on‑stage rock goddess reaching out to an adoring crowd—yet even in that transformation, redemption is shadowed by self‑awareness.
The first ballad, Read Your Mind, is achingly beautiful. Its vulnerability is palpable, with Starr’s voice and Hoekstra’s guitar intertwining in perfect, delicate harmony.
Among the many heavy hitters, Get Out Alive stands out with some nifty guitar work from Hoekstra, while Starr’s effects‑laden vocals add both weight and grit. Effigy brews with a thumping rhythm and that familiar lyrical venom. But it’s Running Out of Time that surprises most: its bouncy “ooh yeah, yeah” intro is playful misdirection, as the track quickly pivots into a burst of punk‑charged energy.
Starr is a stunning vocalist, and her voice fits the music perfectly—velvet‑smooth one moment and delivering a caustic punch the next. On an album with clear pop‑rock overtones, maintaining that balance of tone is impressive. There’s also a genuine band feel throughout. Hoekstra’s contributions are classy without ever becoming overbearing, giving the record real weight while exploring its musical nuances with hand‑in‑glove precision.
The shifts in style never distract; if anything, they heighten the album’s appeal. After several repeat listens, the songs dig in deeper, revealing a record that, despite its darker lyrical themes, feels self‑assured and confident.
What makes I Am The Enemy so compelling is its naked, sometimes brutal honesty. It feels like a cold stare into the mirror—and that relatability gives the album real power. Rather than burying itself in Starr’s “issues,” the record is clear in its intent. This is about liberation, freedom, and personal growth, about confronting demons head‑on.
The very existence of the album suggests that Starr may well be emerging on the winning side.
Austen Starr’s debut album I Am The Enemy is out now on Frontiers Records. Vinyl and merch are available from Austen Starr’s website.
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