Plastic Dreams with a Pop Heart

Dreaming Soda’s latest single Kissing Stacey is the kind of track that sticks in your head long after it’s finished, and not just because of its sugar-coated indie-pop melodies. On the surface, it’s playful, glossy, and full of charm, but beneath the shimmer lies a surprisingly sharp cultural reflection.

Inspired by the complex symbolism of an iconic plastic doll, the song leans into themes of consumerism, identity, and self-expression, all wrapped up in a tongue-in-cheek package. What makes it so compelling is how seamlessly it balances irony with sincerity, inviting listeners to dance while also nudging them to think about the narratives tied to toys, childhood, and queerness.

The production is slick and vibrant, crafted at Hercules Studios in Sydney and polished by Becki Whitton’s mastering touch. It has that instant “blast this out of your speakers” quality, the sort of anthem you can imagine spilling out of bedrooms and car stereos on a warm night. Having been tested on live crowds across Sydney and Melbourne, it carries a raw energy that translates beautifully into its recorded form, equal parts playful pop and cultural commentary.

Kissing Stacey feels like a celebration and critique rolled into one, a bright burst of indie-pop that’s as fun as it is thought-provoking. Dreaming Soda have managed to capture the nostalgia of plastic glitter with the edge of modern reflection, and the result is a track destined to become a cult favorite.