Chandra, a rising pop-rock band from Bristol, UK, has gained fast recognition for their distinctive mix of guitar-driven tunes and impactful lyrics. The group is made up of four individuals: Keith Jones plays the drums, Chris Wong is on bass, Rock Cheung plays guitar, and Chandra Nair is the charismatic lead singer, contributing his name and impressive vocal skills to the band. Chandra is more than a musical group; it is a collaborative power that blends personal storytelling with a positive musical journey, reflecting the core of human feelings and challenges we encounter. Chandra’s music revolves around mental health, self-confidence, and the value of kindness, expressed through Chandra Nair’s exceptional vocals, praised as “truly extraordinary” by music bloggers. His voice is not only used to convey the lyrics but also serves as the main driving factor behind the band’s sound, highlighting the heartfelt messages.
Chandra has been inspired by a wide range of musical icons, including Bowie, Queen, The Beatles, Britney Spears, and Sam Fender, covering classic and contemporary styles. The band’s music shows a diverse range of influences, resulting in rich melodies and emotional depth. Chandra’s enduring love for music, which was sparked by a transformative moment at REM’s 1995 Monster Tour in Milton Keynes Bowl, has driven the band’s path to the spotlight. This experience inspired Chandra to pursue creating and performing his own music, with the goal of sharing it live with large audiences. The band’s lineup was finalized by December 2023, and in 2024, they are sharing their lively and optimistic energy during live shows, enchanting crowds and inspiring feelings of happiness and confidence.
Chandra’s first EP, “Lifted,” was released on August 30th, 2024. It features six tracks that reflect the band’s goal of making music that entertains while also bringing positivity and energy. The EP is the result of the band’s hard work after the successful release of five singles from April 2023 to July 2024. The singles were well-received by critics, creating high expectations for the EP, which the band has successfully fulfilled. Chandra characterizes “Lifted” as a predominantly upbeat, feel-good compilation of songs intended to leave audiences brimming with excitement. Every song is created to boost confidence and promote positivity, serving as a great remedy for the challenges of daily life.
The idea behind the EP is simple but deep: to craft a musical experience that begins with happiness and concludes with a reiteration of love and belief. This thematic approach guarantees that the EP is not just a haphazard collection of songs—it is a unified storyline that connects emotionally and musically. The EP’s artwork, created by UK animé artist Wil Overton, beautifully matches the music, capturing the lively essence of the band’s live shows. Overton, famous for his contributions to the video games field, imbues the cover with a vibrant and dynamic aesthetic, mirroring the energetic essence of the music featured inside. Chandra’s choice to collaborate with Overton shows his dedication to ensuring that every element of the EP, including the music and visuals, accurately reflects the band’s identity.
Lifted EP Track List:
Lifted:
Positioned as the fourth track on the EP, the song “Lifted” hooks listeners right away with a mesmerizing guitar melody that establishes the mood for the rest of the piece. The guitar work serves as more than just a beginning; it acts as a base for the positive feel of the song. While the tune develops, Chandra’s vocals come in, bringing a slight yet noticeable feeling of happiness. His vocal performance plays a crucial role in shaping the uplifting and energizing atmosphere of the track, seamlessly blending with the music to establish a feel-good environment.
While the song plays on, each aspect, including the complex guitar melodies and the powerful vocals, come together to enhance the listener’s emotions. The song has a meticulously designed structure to create a sense of positivity, with parts where the music and vocals elevate together, giving the listener a feeling of being lifted to a higher emotional level. The perfect combination of melodies and strong vocals captures the true meaning of the track’s title, “Lifted,” effectively conveying its purpose to uplift the listener’s mood.
The quality of the music in “Lifted” is apparent in its carefully arranged elements, with each note and vocal melody contributing to the uplifting mood of the song. Not only are the melodies catchy, they are also resonant, creating a lasting impression even after the song has finished. Chandra’s talent in generating an engaging and optimistic musical atmosphere makes “Lifted” a standout song in the EP, capturing the essence of the whole album and acting as a flawless reflection of the band’s inspirational message.
Lighters To The Sky:
The EP’s fifth track, “Lighters To The Sky,” starts with a guitar melody that instantly creates a thoughtful and heartfelt atmosphere for the song. This tune provides an ideal base for the sentimental voyage that the song guides its audience through. Chandra’s vocals blend seamlessly with the guitar, adding a rich depth that enhances the music’s beauty. The emotional tone of his singing brings a sense of self-reflection to the song, encouraging listeners to connect with it more deeply. While the song plays on, soft humming voices start to blend in, fostering a feeling of togetherness and heightening the excitement for the future.
The addition of the background vocals, switching between humming and singing, brings a complex, layered dimension to the music. These voices effectively enhance the emotional impact of the track by complementing Chandra’s lead vocals. The shift from humming to complete vocal harmonies results in a dynamic interaction among various vocal components, bringing complexity and depth to the music. The meticulous organization of vocals adds to the overall reflective atmosphere of the song, creating a profoundly emotional listening journey.
In terms of music, “Lighters To The Sky” is captivating and intricately layered, with a strong rhythm that runs through the entire piece. The instruments are carefully designed, creating a captivating yet thought-provoking atmosphere that engages and keeps listeners interested. The mix of the heartfelt guitar tune, the passionate main vocals, and the changing backup voices forms a captivating musical world that is reflective and inspiring. The track stands out on the EP by combining emotional depth with a powerful musical energy, creating a lasting impression even after the final note.
Overload:
The EP’s last track, “Overload,” starts with a soft guitar melody that sets a thoughtful and fragile mood right away. This beginning creates a calm atmosphere, enabling the listener to gradually immerse themselves in the introspective feel of the track. Chandra’s voice blends with the guitar, adding a soft and gentle tone that beautifully matches the music’s delicate essence. The simplicity of the arrangement at the beginning captivates the listener, evoking a feeling of peace and reflection during the first moments of “Overload”.
At 1:13 into the track, there is a surprising and impactful shift. Chandra’s calm voice, that was gentle at first, suddenly explodes with a strong rush, changing the emotional depth of the song. This change in vocals is reflected in the music, with the gentle guitar now being accompanied by a wider range of lively sounds, bringing added energy and vitality to the song. This sudden change not only grabs the listener’s interest but also brings a deep, dramatic element to the song, creating a truly captivating experience. The increased intensity of the music reflects the emotional surge in Chandra’s voice, resulting in a strong and unforgettable moment in the song.
The song comes full circle at the 2:31-minute mark, returning to its original delicate tone as it progresses. Returning to the mellow guitar melody and softer singing style brings the song full circle from its earlier intensity, giving the listener a feeling of closure and prompting reflection. “Overload” is a suitable finale for the EP, embodying the emotional exploration of the entire collection through a mix of reflection, surprising passion, and ultimately, a calming end. This closing song not only connects the EP’s themes but also makes a lasting impact, making it a standout conclusion to Chandra’s first project.
In terms of music, “Lifted” displays Chandra’s ability to adapt and skill. The EP contains six tracks, with the standout addition being the new song “Overload,” alongside the previously released singles. Every song in the EP features captivating instrumentation and strong vocal deliveries, ensuring there are no boring moments. The guitar playing in songs like brings an additional level of depth and vitality, as the production overseen by Chandra Nair, Aaron Shawn, and Elliot Vaughan guarantees that each note and lyric is presented clearly and powerfully. The EP was expertly mastered by Stephen Kerrison at Weird Jungle, showcasing a polished and dynamic sound that beautifully encapsulates Chandra’s lively performance energy in a studio environment. The high production quality allows the emotional depth of the lyrics and the complexity of the instrumentation to stand out.
In short, “Lifted” is a first EP that not only meets but surpasses the standards set by Chandra’s previous works. The band showcases their talent for creating music that is not only enjoyable but also holds significant meaning, providing listeners with a fulfilling emotional and musical experience. Whether you have been a follower of Chandra’s music for a long time or are just discovering it now, this EP will definitely make you happy and give you a fresh feeling of positivity.
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