The Latin title of The Chordaes’ 2017 EP In Itinere, translating
to “during the journey,” encapsulated the musical and emotional
searching at the heart of the project. While still exploring that sweet
spot where alternative indie and soulful mellow rock merge, the NYC band
goes deeper on their latest collection, reflecting on their lives as
young millennials trying to find their way in today’s America. Driven by
the insightful songwriting of front man Leo Sawikin, their upcoming
follow-up EP, What We Breathe In (due early 2019), tackles this creeping sense of powerlessness–both in the world at large and in personal relationships.
to “during the journey,” encapsulated the musical and emotional
searching at the heart of the project. While still exploring that sweet
spot where alternative indie and soulful mellow rock merge, the NYC band
goes deeper on their latest collection, reflecting on their lives as
young millennials trying to find their way in today’s America. Driven by
the insightful songwriting of front man Leo Sawikin, their upcoming
follow-up EP, What We Breathe In (due early 2019), tackles this creeping sense of powerlessness–both in the world at large and in personal relationships.
The collection’s infectious, soaring lead
single, “Venus,” out October 26, mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers,
The Revivalists), is about longing for someone who is out of reach but
who holds power over one’s heart. Leo says, “The idea of the song is
that like two neighboring planets, we are locked in place by forces
greater than we are. It’s about being in limbo with someone, being
powerless to move closer to or further from them.”
single, “Venus,” out October 26, mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers,
The Revivalists), is about longing for someone who is out of reach but
who holds power over one’s heart. Leo says, “The idea of the song is
that like two neighboring planets, we are locked in place by forces
greater than we are. It’s about being in limbo with someone, being
powerless to move closer to or further from them.”
On the opening title track, The
Chordaes–whose lineup includes founding member/drummer Ethan Glenn,
keyboardist Dan Cobert, and guitarist Kevin Foley–lead with a true
generational anthem about staying human while living under the boot of
corrupt leaders. Helping to create the song’s driving sound is mixer
Kevin Killen, whose countless credits include U2’s indelible “Pride (In
the Name of Love).”
Chordaes–whose lineup includes founding member/drummer Ethan Glenn,
keyboardist Dan Cobert, and guitarist Kevin Foley–lead with a true
generational anthem about staying human while living under the boot of
corrupt leaders. Helping to create the song’s driving sound is mixer
Kevin Killen, whose countless credits include U2’s indelible “Pride (In
the Name of Love).”
In the soul-inflected “Got to Get Out,”
the narrator dreams of escaping a dystopian world. The theme of
disillusionment hits bottom on “All My Life,” with bitter lyrics
ironically set against an upbeat arrangement, featuring a bright horn
section. The perspective is reversed on “This Is How It Ends,” told from
the point of view of a co-conspirator whose crimes have finally caught
up with him.
the narrator dreams of escaping a dystopian world. The theme of
disillusionment hits bottom on “All My Life,” with bitter lyrics
ironically set against an upbeat arrangement, featuring a bright horn
section. The perspective is reversed on “This Is How It Ends,” told from
the point of view of a co-conspirator whose crimes have finally caught
up with him.
The ultra catchy “Tuesday Afternoon” taps
into the British Invasion vibe of The Kinks or The Zombies; its tempo
changes and carnival feel reflect the conflicted mind of the narrator,
who asks for “some time alone” to sort things out–or maybe to channel
his confusion into writing more songs. “Miles Across the Sea,” the EP
closer, centered around Leo’s 12-string guitar and piercing vocal, is a
flat out heartbreaker that explores the perennial question: “Why can’t
we master our emotions and simply move on?”
into the British Invasion vibe of The Kinks or The Zombies; its tempo
changes and carnival feel reflect the conflicted mind of the narrator,
who asks for “some time alone” to sort things out–or maybe to channel
his confusion into writing more songs. “Miles Across the Sea,” the EP
closer, centered around Leo’s 12-string guitar and piercing vocal, is a
flat out heartbreaker that explores the perennial question: “Why can’t
we master our emotions and simply move on?”
The Chordaes’ 2014 launch was the
culmination of years of musical camaraderie between Leo and Ethan, which
began in seventh grade at Churchill School in Manhattan. The Chordaes
quickly earned the praise of numerous music publications, including
Elmore Magazine, which cited their “diverse array of sounds and ideas,
inspired by the freewheeling experimentation of Radiohead and late
period Beatles while retaining a strictly pop essence.” Deli Magazine
voted them Best New Alt Rock Artist (NY) in 2015.
culmination of years of musical camaraderie between Leo and Ethan, which
began in seventh grade at Churchill School in Manhattan. The Chordaes
quickly earned the praise of numerous music publications, including
Elmore Magazine, which cited their “diverse array of sounds and ideas,
inspired by the freewheeling experimentation of Radiohead and late
period Beatles while retaining a strictly pop essence.” Deli Magazine
voted them Best New Alt Rock Artist (NY) in 2015.
As they continue to grow their fan base
with regular live performances at NYC spots like Rockwood Music Hall and
Mercury Lounge, praise for their music has rolled in. Substream wrote
of In Itinere that it was “packed with some
of the best low key, guilty pleasure pop-rock jams of the year.” All
Things Go Music caught the essence of The Chordaes in their review:
“Burning slowly like the first stages of a fire…the New York outfit
blends the raw, candid lyricism of early alternative rock with the
expertise of classic Americana and doesn’t spill a drop.”
with regular live performances at NYC spots like Rockwood Music Hall and
Mercury Lounge, praise for their music has rolled in. Substream wrote
of In Itinere that it was “packed with some
of the best low key, guilty pleasure pop-rock jams of the year.” All
Things Go Music caught the essence of The Chordaes in their review:
“Burning slowly like the first stages of a fire…the New York outfit
blends the raw, candid lyricism of early alternative rock with the
expertise of classic Americana and doesn’t spill a drop.”
Led by producer Marc Swersky (Joe Cocker,
Roger Daltrey), the new EP’s Wrecking Crew-inspired recording
process,with most instruments captured live and with minimal overdubs,
has produced a timeless sound. This is music that wears its heart on its
sleeve—an urgent, moving contribution to what is a growing alt
subgenre: grand-scale, post-ironic, melodic pop that draws without
snobbery on every era of pop and rock history, to emerge as something
all its own.
Roger Daltrey), the new EP’s Wrecking Crew-inspired recording
process,with most instruments captured live and with minimal overdubs,
has produced a timeless sound. This is music that wears its heart on its
sleeve—an urgent, moving contribution to what is a growing alt
subgenre: grand-scale, post-ironic, melodic pop that draws without
snobbery on every era of pop and rock history, to emerge as something
all its own.
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