Stayaway
The song was written by the band's members Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson, who produced it with John Hill.
Inspired by some of lead singer Gavin's own failed relationships, the band described "Stayaway" as a song about understanding the permanent changes required to eliminate harmful patterns and instill long-lasting improvements.
[3][4] Gavin, the band's lead singer, said "Stayaway" was one of the songs she wrote after having spent time adjusting to some significant life changes.
[8] The band stated that the song is "about trying to rid yourself of a negative pattern and realising that it requires you to make a whole network of other changes", likening the experience to removing a small weed only to reveal a larger, more resilient root system that thrives on harmful behaviors and circumstances.
[27] Critics have cited influences of R&B and dark pop in the song's production,[9][22] which Alexandra Pollard of The Independent likened to the work of the electronic music duo Daft Punk.
[28] Billboard's Hannah Daily described it as an electro-pop rock song about the struggle to maintain distance from a former romantic partner amidst relentless reminders of them.
[29] Meanwhile, a writer for Austin City Limits called "Stayaway" a "soaring" pop anthem that "belongs in the twenty-first century", despite its retro influences.
[30] A cyclical narrative,[31] "Stayaway" is about the unexpected challenges encountered trying to keep one's distance from an ex-partner,[32] recounting overlooked details about what occurs after a breakup.
[36] The singer grapples with the temptation to return to a past love and the struggle to move on,[23] triggering a "downward spiral of thoughts", according to Sophie Dunne of Women.
[49] Articles published by contributors for both Nylon and Vulture highlighted "Stayaway" as one of music's best recent releases in August and December 2019, respectively.
[51] Several reviewers named "Stayaway" a standout track from its parent album,[52][53][31][54] while Angie Martoccio of Rolling Stone, Chloe Peterson of The Daily of the University of Washington, and Josh Osman of Varsity each deemed it a fan favorite.
Sophie Dunne of Women described "Stayaway" as a stunning, empathetic "description of life post-breakup",[36] and Chris Zakorchemny of The Big Takeover called its bridge particularly "breathtaking".
[45] Writing for WKCO, Mikayla Connolly described it as a relatable "track that could easily pull crowds to the dance-floor", despite its heartbreaking lyrics.
[34] Dave Fawbert of the i called the track "magnificent" and compared its detailed, emotional lyrics to the work of the singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
[6] The Current ranked "Stayaway" among the 10 best songs of 2019, with author Cecilia Johnson praising how Gavin "uses plain language to describe post-break-up turmoil".
[67][68] Emily Herbein of WXPN said a September 2021 performance at a concert of Phoebe Bridgers "showcased singer Katie Gavin's dynamic vocal range".
[76] In April 2023, Muna performed "Stayaway" as part of their Coachella set,[77] which Lyndsey Havens of Billboard said "showcased the band's vocal power",[78] followed by a "stripped down" rendition during their Tiny Desk Concert for NPR in June.
