Some songs exist to comfort, others to entertain—but then there are songs like Stephanie Westdal’s “Lesser Than”, which cut straight into the marrow of uncomfortable truths. Released September 12th via World Peach Records, this single doesn’t just make you listen—it makes you confront.

“Lesser Than” is about sexual violence, and right from the first notes, there’s no mistaking its gravity. It doesn’t dress up the subject matter in euphemisms or retreat behind metaphor. Instead, Westdal throws the spotlight on the murky territory of power, consent, and betrayal—territory that society too often avoids or silences. The result is a track that’s as unsettling as it is necessary.

Musically, the arrangement (crafted with longtime collaborator Chris Burke-Gaffney) gives Westdal’s raw vocal performance the room it needs. Sparse, deliberate instrumentation underlines the intensity of the lyrics, swelling and breaking in the right moments without ever overwhelming her voice. You can feel the restraint in the production—it’s not here to soften the blow, but to keep the focus on the story being told.

And what a story it is. The line “I know that you want me to be lesser than… but I’ll never be lesser than you” lands like a defiant roar after verses of betrayal, degradation, and pain. Westdal turns her own lived experience of powerlessness into an anthem of resilience. The track doesn’t end in despair—it ends in resistance, a reclamation of agency and dignity. That’s what gives it its lasting power: it forces listeners into the darkness, but refuses to leave them there.

The song’s themes are personal, yes, but they’re also universal. Questions about where consent begins and ends, how power is abused, and why silence persists are not just Westdal’s questions—they’re everyone’s. And by voicing them, she creates space for a wider conversation. “Lesser Than” isn’t just a single, it’s an invitation to break that silence, to talk about what so often goes unspoken.

Visually, the artwork and photography (by Westdal herself and Tom Brodbeck) complement the song’s unflinching tone—striking, raw, and honest. It’s not polished glamour; it’s something closer to truth, which is exactly the point.

And while “Lesser Than” is the focus right now, it’s also part of something larger. Westdal’s The Goddess Series, her curated concert experience, builds on the same themes of intentionality, inclusivity, and creative connection—spaces where conversations like this can move from the stage into real communities.

“Lesser Than” is not an easy listen. It’s not supposed to be. It’s a song that carries the weight of trauma but also the fire of survival. It’s for anyone who has been silenced, and for everyone who needs to start listening.

Uncomfortable? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely. And that’s why “Lesser Than” matters.

“Lesser Than” is available now on all major streaming platforms

Listen to Stephanie Westdal and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Indie & Alternative’

“Lesser Than” - Stephanie Westdal

“Love Me...Not” - Mia Delamar

“Borderline: Chaos at the Border” - Patrick Costello