Artist Spotlight
Chapell’s “The Underground Music Show”
There’s nothing quite like Chapell’s The Underground Music Show in the modern musical universe.
I assert that this is a good thing. We don’t need any more cookie-cutter singer/songwriter fare full of quavering sensitivities. Nor do we need paint-by-numbers noise merchants peddling oh-so-indie guitar albums that wear their oddities on their sleeves. Chapell is, unashamedly, himself and nothing more.
The Stamford, Connecticut-born performer and songwriter discovered initial notoriety as a fifteen-year-old prodigy working with Dirty Dancing producer Jimmy Ienner. He later led the East-West fusion outfit Kalki. His tenure with that band served notice that Chapell wasn’t content with finding fame as a garden variety song and dance man. He had bigger fish to fry.
The peak of his musical journey so far comes with the formation of the band bearing his name. Chapell’s 2016 debut, The Redhead’s Allegations, produced by Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison, illustrated Chapell’s mammoth growth as a songwriter and human being. Two successors, Soul Man and Love in the Summer of Trouble, solidified his direction and garnered him a loyal following.
I believe it bodes well for the album’s remaining songs when an artist leads off with the title track. There’s a long tradition of this kind of track listing signaling a wellspring of self-assurance. It’s justified in this case. “The Underground Music Show” sets the stage for everything following it. One of its primary merits lies with the vocals. Chapell has an idiosyncratic voice, and further strengthens the singing with The Crush Boys’ backing vocals. Marrying thoughtful lyrical content with the pop predilections of this opener establishes a template that Chapell won’t desert.
However, I’m glad to report there are ample variations. He doesn’t follow a single path. The bright piano-laced pop balladry of “The Space Between Us” is an excellent follow-up to the opener. He builds the song from relatively restrained beginnings into a robust march that simmers with energy. Chapell continues indulging in anthemic pop with the album’s third cut, “When the Music Plays Again”. Violinist Lorenza Ponce is one of the underrated musical forces driving many of these cuts and plays with great confidence throughout this track.
I wondered going in if Chapell was covering John Lennon with the plaintively titled “Grow Old with Me”. However, it’s another outstanding original. He pursues a jaunty trajectory that eschews the anthemic tendencies of the preceding songs in favor of an irresistible pop bounce. “I Used to Say This Could Never Be Me” steers The Underground Music Show into different textural waters. He scaffolds his lyrics about the ironies of getting older around a loping tempo with a surprising amount of swing. It’s one of his best vocals on the release, and he tosses in several understated moves into the imaginative arrangement.
The relaxed gait of “When Sally Left” juxtaposes nicely against a nuanced and often vigorous Chapell vocal. This tune packs an unexpected punch and comes at an ideal place in the album’s track listing. “Like We Just Met” is The Underground Music Show’s penultimate tune, and its hypnotic piano motif supplies an important musical hook for the song’s success. It’s another of the vocal high points with a strong central performance from Chapell and astute multi-tracking scattered throughout the cut. Chapell’s The Underground Music Show harbors a bounty of rewards that listeners won’t readily exhaust. I advise you to check it out today.
Skyler Voss
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Artist Spotlight
Caplin & Massiah stirs a heartfelt dance through heartbreak in its new single, “Shaped Like You”
Caplin & Massiah have proven their artistic prowess significantly with their latest single, “Shaped Like You.” The composition masterfully transforms heartbreak into a rhythmic, genre-blending masterpiece. Rooted in a dancehall vibe of blues and soul flourishes, it exemplifies the duo’s talent for merging heartfelt storytelling with irresistibly upbeat soundscapes, creating an emotionally impactful and sonically captivating experience.
The introductory segment of the song instantly commands attention through infectious groove-inspired rhythms and coaxing movement from the first beat. However, beneath the vibrant pulse lies a poignant narrative. Born from a deeply personal place of pain, initially inspired by Zeeteah Massiah’s struggles with her daughter, “Shaped Like You” evolves into a broader exploration of how loss manifests in many forms but still finds expression in joyful yearning. The lyrics, “Everybody sees this hole in my heart, and everybody knows it’s shaped like you,” strike an emotional chord that reveals a story of love lost even as the production encourages listeners to dance despite feelings of sorrow. The duo has adeptly reimagined this sentiment into a broader tale of romantic loss.
What distinguishes “Shaped Like You” is the duo’s capacity to marry lyrical sensitivity with sonic innovation. Influenced by an eclectic range of sources, from Ella Fitzgerald’s classic sophistication to Billie Eilish’s avant-garde style, Caplin & Massiah craft a timeless and contemporary sound. Their genre-defying methodology ensures the track resonates with a diverse audience, bridging generations and musical tastes.
This auditory evolution, transitioning from personal grief to heartbreak, manifests prominently in this work, resulting in a nostalgic celebration of resilience and reinvention. By translating a profoundly personal story into an uplifting anthem, Caplin & Massiah affirm their artistic proficiency and versatility, inviting listeners to simultaneously engage in a multifaceted experience encompassing movement, emotion, and healing. “Shaped Like You” is a testament to the power of music to convert sorrow into strength and pain into possibility. Audiences may find themselves inclined to hit repeat, not solely for its rhythmic appeal but also for the poignant story it articulates.
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Artist Spotlight
Haylee Joe unveils a festive classic charm with her new single “Santa, Did You Get My Letter?”
Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, singer and songwriter Haylee Joe effectively encapsulates the sparkling magic of the holiday season with her dazzling new single, “Santa, did you get my letter?” This enchanting composition proves that the Christmas music genre remains eternally relevant. It presents a modern twist on festive cheer, brimming with vibrant energy and memorable melodies. Teaming up with co-writer Jayelie Gerber and producer Drew Louis, Haylee delivers a timeless and delightfully current track.
From the outset, listeners are swept into a whirlwind of a joyful holiday atmosphere. The song’s upbeat tempo, sparkling production, and Haylee’s effervescent vocals convey Christmas’s warmth to the audience. It’s a spirited follow-up to her 2022 holiday hit “Dear Santa,” affirming Haylee’s capacity to infuse the season with elegance and sophistication.
Lyrically, the song evokes the childlike wonder associated with Christmas, penning wishes to Santa with an air of hope and enthusiasm. However, Haylee’s modern, playful delivery distinguishes this song from others. The production, expertly mastered by Justin Perkins, perfectly balances classic holiday instrumentation and a pop-driven rhythm, making it suitable for various playlists and holiday parties alike.
The accompanying music video significantly enhances the overall experience, introducing a visual dimension to an irresistible track. With its infectious energy, “Santa, did you get my letter?” is an auditory invitation to dive into the festive spirit, fostering a sense of joy and rhythm during the holiday season. Whether one is engaged in gift-wrapping or savoring a cup of cocoa, “Santa, Did You Get My Letter?” is the type of song that contributes to a more vibrant holiday classical for the modern generation, establishing herself as a noteworthy Pop Santa audiences did not realize they needed!
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