A humble yet radiant return, “Wake Up & Smile” by Stray Blue is a small gift with a big heart. Let it in.
Greek indie trio Stray Blue returns after more than a decade of dormancy with “Wake Up & Smile,” a two-song acoustic offering that feels both like a homecoming and a heartfelt letter to time itself. Released on July 18th—alongside a limited edition 7-inch vinyl—the project finds the long-standing band leaning into what they’ve always done best: raw emotion, warm arrangements, and disarming sincerity.
Led by founding member Nick Anastasakis, now based in Los Angeles, Stray Blue reunites with longtime collaborators George Athanas (bass/vocals) and George Papazoglou (drums) for a project that feels stripped-down but spiritually expansive. The title track, “Wake Up & Smile” (Acoustic Version), is a gentle folk ballad built on a uniquely tuned 12-string guitar, swaying percussion, and an intimate vocal performance that reads like a diary entry. It’s a song born from heartbreak, but it glows with hard-won hope. “Life is not always the way you want it to be… just wake up and smile,” Anastasakis sings—not as cliché, but as a lived truth.
Lyrically, the track offers a soul-bearing glimpse into love lost, lessons learned, and the ache of time. It doesn’t pretend to have the answers; instead, it meets listeners in their pain and gently guides them toward light. Guest musicians Leo Genovese on clave and Robby Sinclair on shakers and backing vocals add warmth without clutter, making it a natural fit for fans of Damien Rice, Iron & Wine, or José González. Include “Wake Up & Smile” (Acoustic Version) – for your sunrise playlists.
The B-side, “Moody Sky”, is where things shift from the personal to the panoramic. Featuring acclaimed cellist Yoed Nir—known for work with Regina Spektor and Rufus Wainwright—the track opens with a cinematic hush. Nir’s cello lines weep and wander, weaving through Anastasakis’s wistful guitar with a mournful elegance. The song is less about verses and choruses than it is about mood: rain-soaked streets, half-finished thoughts, and the gravity of memory. If Wake Up & Smile is a morning meditation, Moody Sky is the long drive home at dusk. Moody Sky (ft. Yoed Nir) is a perfect cello-laced soundtrack to your rainy Sunday.
Both tracks were recorded in Thessaloniki, Greece—a meaningful return to roots for a band whose story began there in 2005 with the very first version of Wake Up & Smile. That track, which quickly became a live staple across the Greek festival circuit, now returns reimagined and refined. The mastering by Luciano Vassão at Musiversal gives the recordings a polished warmth without stripping away the band’s raw edge.
Though Stray Blue’s last official performance was in 2011, this release suggests that time apart hasn’t dimmed their chemistry—it’s deepened it. The trio may have scattered across continents and projects (Anastasakis recording as The Afro Nick in NYC and LA; Athanas touring with Hot Spread in Thessaloniki; Papazoglou contributing to genre-spanning acts like Piece of Joy), but this release is proof that their creative connection remains intact.
For fans of: Nick Drake, Fleet Foxes, Sufjan Stevens, Yo La Tengo unplugged
Vinyl collectors: Limited 7-inch available via strayblue.bandcamp.com
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