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
Stay updated! Click the Google News follow button for more news and updates.
Follow on Google News
Artist Spotlight
“I Just Want You” by Kina ft. Trevor Daniel delivers a heartfelt serenade for beautiful yearning
In “I Just Want You” by Kina, the 24-year-old Naples-born lo-fi pop maestro behind the platinum hit “Get You The Moon,” featuring Trevor Daniel, crafts a stirring sonic anthem that feels like an intimate whispered confession to the soul. The track radiates a sense of vulnerability, merging Kina’s trademark melancholic production with Trevor’s emotionally charged, velvety vocals in a seamless fusion of emotion and sound.
Right from the start, Kina’s minimalist yet lush instrumentals, with muted beats and delicate piano lines, hum in the background like a pulse, setting the stage for Trevor Daniel’s heart-on-sleeve delivery as he croons about yearning for connection. The song’s emotional gravity is undeniable, each lyric feels weighted with sincerity, a heartbeat echoing the universal ache of missing someone.
The production exemplifies Kina’s quintessential hallmark style, which is characterized by its understated but impactful nature. A warm tapestry of lo-fi elements, soft keys, atmospheric synths, and subtle percussion wraps around Trevor’s vocal performance, creating a cozy, intimate, cinematic soundscape ideal for those quiet moments when you reflect on your feelings.
What really makes “I Just Want You” unique is its ability to mix personal vulnerability, timeless vibes, passionate lyricism, and broad relatability. It’s almost as if the artists invite listeners to relive their sweet memories in a cocoon of love, translating unfiltered emotion into a beautiful melody long after the song ends.
In just under three minutes, Kina and Trevor Daniel remind listeners that sometimes, we really need honest expression set to a simple, lovely tune. “I Just Want You” is a sonic open letter to the heart of anyone who has ever loved, making it impossible not to feel the pull of its charm.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Kina’s “I Just Want You“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Kina | Instagram | TikTok |
Artist Spotlight
“The Tide” by John Doherty stirs an enchanting wave of soulful melodic voyage
“The Tide,” John Doherty’s latest single, exemplifies a masterstroke of heartfelt storytelling and evocative soundscapes. The Irish singer-songwriter, renowned for his soulful vocal delivery, effectively merges the intimacy inherent in traditional folk music with a sophisticated contemporary country music style, crafting a vivid atmosphere that resonates with a timeless charm reminiscent of the ocean.
The composition “The Tide” captivates from its initial notes, sweeping listeners into its wave of introspection and hope. Doherty’s warm vocals, imbued with authenticity, anchor the song as it unfolds melody, accompanied by gentle acoustic strums and a lush instrument arrangement. Co-written and produced in collaboration with the expert craftsmanship of Luca Janzen and John Doherty, the track balances simplicity with cinematic depth.
Lyrically, Doherty articulates the cyclic nature of life, love, and resilience. “The Tide” is employed as a profound metaphor, its fluctuations paralleling human challenges and triumph achievements. His poetic delivery transforms the song into an emotional voyage, where every lyric feels like a personal conversation dialogue. The production is exceptional, featuring intricate layers of melody and harmony that evoke the experience of standing on the shores of the Irish coastline. The influence of Doherty’s extensive touring, including stints performances alongside notable artists such as James Bay and The Staves, is discernible in his polished yet unfiltered authentic artistic approach.
“The Tide” is an auditory invitation for reflection, encouraging listeners to find solace in the rhythms of nature and life. Regardless of one’s musical preferences, whether a folk purist or a country aficionado, this track is bound to leave an indelible mark. Engaging with it will reaffirm why John Doherty’s artistry is an exceptional and worthwhile experience you won’t regret.
For more information about John Doherty, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM John Doherty’s “The Tide“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH John Doherty | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook |
