About this Track

• Added on 13 June 2025
• Description

  “Your first steps into the Sun / Will feel like the World will fall apart.”

  Start to Stop

  Swiss/UK singer-songwriter Toby May returns with Start to Stop, a compelling new single that dives deep into the emotional turmoil of breaking cycles and embracing change. With raw honesty May captures the moment of realisation—when one steps into the unknown, leaving behind familiar but harmful patterns.

  “I’m starting to stop, can’t stop if I start.”

  These opening lines set the tone for a track that resonates with anyone who has ever faced the challenge of transformation. In a society where we are constantly pushed to chase instant and often superficial rewards, Start to Stop highlights the often deceptive nature of these so-called incentives. More often than not, they are simply tricks of the mind, temporary comforts masking deeper issues.

  The song, written, recorded, and produced at Toby’s Unagi Sound’s studio in Geneva, is a sonic rollercoaster—its backbone a hypnotic loop that mirrors the relentless cycle of habits. Yet, the dynamic choruses disrupt this pattern, much like a life-altering decision. The arrangement is minimalistic yet impactful, allowing the message to take center stage.

  Adding to the track’s depth, Things of Stone and Wood's Greg Arnold lends his signature backing vocals, weaving the harmonies that have been such a presence on May's recent recordings . Meanwhile, the skilful guitars and bass, performed by the talented Sebastien Heintz, bring a richness and warmth, reinforcing the song’s emotional weight.

  And when Toby says "Your first steps into the sun", he really goes there!
  Accompanying the song is a clip documenting his 2025 tour to Australia, where he sings beneath the vast skies and the powerful sunshine of that amazing country, the journey itself a powerful leap of poptimistic faith.
  For ultimately, at its core, Start to Stop is a song about courage. It’s about stepping outside the comfort zone, facing the fear of the unknown, and making a decision for the better. Toby May delivers not just a melody but a message—one that lingers long after the last note fades.

  We all know it's hard to Start to Stop, but we also all know that we probably should Start to Stop anyway.

• Year of creation 2024
• Label Unagi Sound
• Director Toby May
• 9 plays