StopGap Solution Ignite Hope and Resilience with New Single “Make Believe”
Hailing from Memphis, TN, a city rich with musical heritage StopGap Solution have steadily carved out their own path, touring with and supporting major names such as Shinedown, Switchfoot, Smith & Myers, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, Saint Asonia, Theory of a Deadman, We The Kings, Marcy Playground, and Josey Scott’s Saliva. Their latest release, “Make Believe,” arrives not only as a continuation of their momentum from a summer tour with Shinedown, but also as the third installment in a series of new tracks crafted with Dave Cowell – the Billboard No. 1 producer and one of the visionary forces behind Sleep Theory.
With “Make Believe,” StopGap Solution showcase an artistry that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant, channeling their years of friendship, shared experiences, and undeniable chemistry into a song that lingers long after its final chord.
The origins of StopGap Solution rest in an organic creative spark. Bandmates Chris and Zack had already honed their craft in multiple projects – including Perspective, Ingram Hill, AMMM (Allen, Mack, Myers, Moore), The Fairwell, and J.R. Moore – before finding that their strongest writing emerged when working together. That collaborative ease quickly transformed into a defining sound: modern alternative rock infused with melodic sensibilities, unflinching honesty, and a willingness to explore both acoustic intimacy and electrified intensity.
“Make Believe” captures this dynamic perfectly. Opening as a mid-tempo, acoustic-driven ballad, it feels at first like a confessional moment in a quiet room – personal, stripped-back, and steeped in vulnerability. But halfway through, the track shifts gears into a driving rhythm, introducing call-and-response harmonies that elevate the emotion. It’s a technique that mirrors the lyrical arc: moving from doubt and fragility toward defiance and hope.
At its core, “Make Believe” is a meditation on perseverance in love and human connection. The song opens with the haunting image of someone ready to give up – “thinking this is over” – only to be pulled back by another’s refusal to let go. This push and pull between surrender and resilience forms the backbone of the song.
The repeated plea – “Make me believe, it’s not make believe” – is deceptively simple, yet it carries immense emotional weight. It’s a cry for authenticity, a desire to trust that what’s unfolding is real and lasting rather than a fleeting illusion. In this way, the song speaks to anyone who has wrestled with doubt in the midst of a relationship, searching for reasons to stay when walking away might seem easier.
As the verses progress, the narrative grows more hopeful: wounds that once felt permanent are imagined as fading scars, suggesting that healing and growth are inevitable if both sides remain committed. By the time the rhythm intensifies and the harmonies break open, the lyrics evolve from quiet uncertainty into a declaration that the bond is worth fighting for.
Even the imagery of “piling it on and on” and “seen this all before” acknowledges repetition and weariness, but instead of resignation, the song counters with urgency: “What are we waiting for? It’s more than a daydream.” This transformation – from despair to determination – creates a powerful emotional journey for the listener.
What makes “Make Believe” so compelling is the way its arrangement mirrors its lyrical message. The acoustic guitar foundation grounds the track in honesty, the stripped-down strums echoing the rawness of the words. As layers build and the tempo lifts, the music itself becomes the act of “believing” – rising, insisting, refusing to stay quiet.
The vocal delivery is key here: warm, emotive, and tinged with urgency, it embodies both the vulnerability of doubt and the strength of conviction. When the harmonies enter during the second half, the effect is almost cinematic – voices overlapping like the sound of two people refusing to give up on each other. The listener feels pulled into that moment of transformation, carried by a surge of rhythm and melody that insists on hope.
This duality – quiet reflection paired with explosive energy – is a hallmark of alternative rock at its best, and StopGap Solution wield it with masterful control.
Releasing “Make Believe” at this stage of their journey is both strategic and symbolic. Coming off a summer tour with Shinedown, the band has fresh momentum and a larger audience ready to engage with their evolving catalog. Rather than chase trends, they’ve doubled down on authenticity, choosing to release a series of tracks that reveal different shades of their artistry.
By collaborating with Dave Cowell, a producer known for crafting soundscapes that blend accessibility with emotional depth, StopGap Solution are sharpening their identity without sacrificing heart. “Make Believe” is not just a song; it’s a statement of intent – proof that the band is committed to writing music that is both deeply felt and sonically satisfying.
In a world often defined by cynicism and fleeting connections, a song like “Make Believe” resonates because it dares to ask for belief – for the real, the lasting, the meaningful. Its lyrics confront doubt head-on while refusing to settle for disillusionment. Its arrangement takes listeners on the same journey the words describe: from fragility to triumph.
For fans of StopGap Solution, the track offers both familiarity and growth. It is unmistakably rooted in their history of heartfelt alternative rock, yet it expands their sonic palette with greater nuance and dynamic shifts. For new listeners, it’s an entry point into a band that values both musicianship and storytelling – qualities that have already earned them a place alongside some of the biggest names in modern rock.
With “Make Believe,” StopGap Solution have delivered a song that is more than a single – it’s a conversation between vulnerability and strength, despair and perseverance, illusion and truth. It’s the sound of a band in full stride, honoring their past while boldly stepping into their future.
As they continue releasing new tracks in the coming months, and with a live energy sharpened by sharing stages with rock heavyweights, StopGap Solution stand poised for their most impactful chapter yet. And if “Make Believe” is any indication, they’re not only ready to rise – they’re determined to make us believe right along with them.
