Montreal’s own bilingual singer-songwriter, Ellis Schoel, returns with a powerful and emotionally resonant new single, “Barstool.” Seamlessly blending the raw vulnerability of singer-songwriter balladry with the rich textures of Americana, this track stands as a testament to Schoel’s ability to translate deep emotions into compelling musical storytelling. With influences spanning from Simon and Garfunkel to Lewis Capaldi, his sound is at once intimate and expansive, drawing listeners into a confessional space of heartbreak, longing, and self-destruction.
Ellis Schoel’s trajectory has been one of steady ascent. His ability to craft soul-baring narratives and pair them with hauntingly beautiful melodies has gained him well-deserved recognition. Having graced the stage at Montreal’s prestigious Corona Theatre and made waves on platforms like MTL Live and CTV Regina, his presence in the music industry is growing at a formidable pace. His appearance on Star Académie—the Quebecois counterpart to American Idol—served as a catalyst for his expanding audience, cementing his reputation as an artist with both technical prowess and profound emotional depth.
“Barstool” is another landmark in his evolving artistry, a song that channels the ache of lost love into a composition both cathartic and intoxicating. It’s a melody for the brokenhearted, a voice for those drowning their sorrows, and a warm embrace for listeners seeking solace in shared pain. By combining evocative lyrics, a rich instrumental arrangement, and a hauntingly sincere vocal performance, Schoel transforms personal pain into something universally relatable and deeply moving.
From the opening line, “Do it all to myself then go around asking for help,” Schoel lays bare the contradictions of grief—the push-and-pull between self-inflicted isolation and the desperate search for connection. The song chronicles the post-breakup descent into reckless abandon, where alcohol serves as both a temporary escape and a painful reminder of what once was. This duality is echoed in the instrumentation, which carries a steady, almost hypnotic rhythm—mirroring the cyclical nature of heartbreak.
The chorus delivers a gut-punch of melancholic nostalgia: “May not always come so soon when you’re all alone in a crowded room / A double shot ain’t made for two but baby I’ll save you a barstool.” Here, the loneliness of a bustling bar scene becomes a metaphor for the emotional void left behind. The protagonist clings to an unrealistic hope, saving a seat for someone who is no longer there, turning an empty gesture into a poignant symbol of longing.
One of the most striking lyrical moments comes when Schoel sings, “Crashed the stage with the house band / Snatched the mic out of the singer’s hand.” This reckless outburst encapsulates the self-destructive tendencies that heartbreak can awaken—a desperate attempt to reclaim attention, to scream into the void, to demand a response from a world that seems indifferent to one’s pain. Such impulsive actions, coupled with the hazy soundscape, evoke the blurred lines between reality and drunken fantasy.
The track is driven by a mid-tempo rhythm that balances melancholy with movement, underscoring the feeling of being stuck in an emotional loop while physically going through the motions of everyday life. The organic instrumentation, infused with Americana-styled guitar lines and warm yet aching harmonies, wraps the listener in a sonic landscape that is both familiar and deeply affecting. The steady drum patterns add a pulse to the song, reinforcing the persistence of memory and the inescapability of emotional pain.
Schoel’s vocal delivery is nothing short of captivating. His voice, rich with timbre and raw sentiment, acts as a conduit for the song’s aching soul. There is a striking sincerity in the way he navigates the verses, his phrasing carefully calibrated to emphasize the weight of his words. As he repeatedly sings, “Baby I’ll save you a barstool,” the repetition transforms from a promise to a plea, each iteration steeped in deeper despair. The wavering edge in his voice suggests both exhaustion and persistence, a voice clinging to the past while knowing it cannot be reclaimed.
His ability to convey layered emotions—desperation, nostalgia, regret, and reluctant acceptance—is reminiscent of folk-pop contemporaries like Ed Sheeran and Bon Iver, yet distinctly his own. It is this authenticity that makes “Barstool” such a compelling listen, offering more than just a song but an experience in which listeners can find their own reflections of heartache. His ability to modulate intensity throughout the track ensures that every note resonates with purpose, making each moment feel as personal to the listener as it is to him.
“Barstool” is an exploration of the ways we cope, the places we go when love is lost, and the rituals we cling to in an attempt to keep someone close, even when they are long gone. Whether it be through the haze of whiskey or the comfort of a familiar tune, Schoel captures the universal struggle of moving on while still holding on. The track’s imagery transports the listener into a dimly lit bar, where every song on the jukebox feels like a personal lament, and every empty glass echoes with memories.
Now available on all major streaming platforms, including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and Google Play, “Barstool” is poised to become an anthem for those who have ever found themselves staring into an empty glass, searching for answers in the amber glow. The single’s reach continues to expand, drawing in new listeners who find solace in Schoel’s deeply emotive storytelling. His ability to craft songs that linger long after they end ensures that his music will continue to touch the hearts of fans old and new.
With “Barstool,” Ellis Schoel continues to prove that he is not just a musician, but a storyteller, a poet, and above all, an artist with the rare ability to make us feel deeply. As Schoel’s career continues to flourish, “Barstool” stands as a shining example of his ability to capture the bittersweet beauty of human emotion, ensuring that his voice remains a powerful and enduring force in modern music.
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