EXTENDED PLAY 096: CHASE ATLANTIC | LOST IN HEAVEN | ALBUM REVIEW
Words by Jamie Shepherd.
LOST IN HEAVEN is Chase Atlantic’s fourth studio release, an album that excitedly pushes the boundaries of their usual catchy melodies and instead lingers in a world in which pleasure and pain coexist. With atmospheric production, themes of dangerous love and emotional turbulence come forth and invite the audience to ponder on the darker side of living.
Opening with FAVELA, the album dives directly into the brooding tones explored throughout the album, beginning with the lyrics “came with a lethal machete / I use my right hand to kill.” On this track, the idea of escapism is displayed through the motif of drug use, alluding to living a self-destructive lifestyle. The lyrics are almost cinematic in style, describing what it’s like to live life on the edge.
Moody and atmospheric in style, the following track, DIE FOR ME, is similar to the opening song in that it captures the emotional decadence of thrill seeking as a way to cope with internal battles, following on with the theme of self-destructive behaviour that comes as a result of desire. Reflecting a toxic relationship, the motif of taking illicit substances is once again used – “if I overdose, will you die with me?” – a haunting lyric, suited to the hypnotic beats relayed throughout the track.
Mitchel Cave and Christian Anthony lyrically juxtapose one another on RICOCHET, each reflecting on the way self-inflicted pain can linger on the mind. Cave represents regret as a result of acting out, whereas Anthony represents the unwavering need to continue to numb emotions. Between the two singers, the music itself also ‘ricochets’ – reaching highs and lows throughout the song.
Tracks YOU and DEMON TIME both explore dark temptations, vividly describing how drug addiction can affect relationships with other people, and with oneself. It explores the need to escape in both a literal and metaphorical sense.
Taking the previously explored themes throughout the album so far, the standout track, NIGHT CALLS, furthers the notion that emotional numbness comes as a result due to indulgent and self-destructive behaviour. Between substance abuse and physical intimacy, the narrator describes the decision to use poor coping mechanisms as a way to move through trauma – “I’m barely even coping.”
Being trapped in a cycle of reckless behaviour, DISCONNECTED highlights feelings of alienation and existential fear. As a result of the unwavering pressure that is being in the public eye, this song refers to the use of drugs and self-harm as a way to deal with internal conflicts, admitting feeling powerless and depressed as a result.
HOURS LOST and MESS ME UP come as an understanding of the toll self-destructive behaviour takes on mental health, exploring how difficult it can be to choose whether to fully indulge in such behaviour, or if there’s a chance to break the cycle. Featuring Xavier Mayne, MESS ME UP features lines like “I know it’s calling for me,” indicative of the hypnotic pull chaos brings. The chorus invites in the idea of getting ‘messed up,’ ultimately reflecting the unpredictability of love and life. Both tracks explore the need to control your own desires, highlighting the conflict of choice.
AMY dives headfirst into themes of loss and trauma, telling the story of a girl who struggles to cope with her turbulent childhood, reminiscing on the loss of her parents. The song evokes a more somber tone, reeling in feelings of empathy through the difficult subject matter. However, this song also explores losing yourself in bad coping mechanisms, referring to drug use once more. “synthesising love had me synthesising drugs.”
DOUBT IT focuses on how superficial fame can be, critically reviewing the common celebrity trope of the drug addicted, party animal, player persona who is often placed on a pedestal solely due to their fame. Following with the superficial theme is the next track MAMACITA, instead focusing on a superficial relationship, as displayed in the lyrics “I don’t love her, but I need her.” Both tracks hint at themes of danger and deceit, contrasting the otherwise celebratory tones throughout the tracks.
The closing track, DON’T LAUGH, ultimately captures every theme previously explored on the album – drug use, relationships, fame, violence, alienation and emotional vulnerability. The continuation of chilling landscapes in this song allows the listener to revel in the level of relatability, particularly within themes that are often ignored in this genre.
Chase Atlantic display their ability to navigate emotional landscapes through the vivid imagery supplied by their lyrics and mesh their pop sensibilities with darker themes to further highlight the overarching theme of emotional turbulence.