TRACK PREMIERE: CHNNLR - FAVORITE LIGHT

And now, for something a little (if not completely) different. As ye keenest of readers may remember, we reviewed Icarus, a damn fine EP from Richmond's  Conductor some time ago. The band's confident ability to harness the best qualities of multiple genres in one cohesive whole were a big draw, and so when the vocalist/guitarist for said outfit, Jason Roberts, approached me with a track from his new project, I had to bite. "Different from Conductor," he said. "But hopefully you'll dig it." And so the hook was set. 

As it turns out, the CAPS-LOVING CHNNLR is, in fact, quite a different animal, both sonically and aesthetically. This duo--also comprising one Jeremy Brooks--takes a significantly lighter edge. But that certainly isn't a bad thing, and, rest assured, I do indeed dig it. Incorporating elements of shoegaze, dreampop, and good ol' indie rock, CHNNLR frankly occupies a musical space with which I am quite unfamiliar. But unfamiliarity breeds opportunity, and here we are, honored to be presenting "FAVORITE LIGHT," the excellent first single from CRYSALIS, CHNNLR's forthcoming debut EP. 

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"FAVORITE LIGHT" carries itself with an airy ambiance--and I mean this in the best of ways. While decidedly ethereal, the delicate vocal stylings and synth-y applications feel exploratory without feeling unmoored. While any of this particular scribe's misinformed musical touchstones are destined to be inaccurate, I'm definitely getting a Meddle-era Pink Floyd vibe from this track, both in terms of the gentle build into the chorus, and the full-hearted vocal delivery in the back half. The attention to sonic atmosphere is evident, and despite a lack of the signifiers we metal fans typically associate with a "full" sound, CHNNLR has provided a complex, intriguing, and dynamic platter. A well-placed moment verging on blackgaze erupts towards the end, but this diversion only amplifies the effectiveness of the ambiance. "FAVORITE LIGHT's" effect is equal parts calming and eerie--the kind of track that works remarkably well as the soundtrack across disparate contexts. You can play on this thing when embroiled in the midst of a variety of moods, and it feels just a befitting. 

Bottom line? "FAVORITE LIGHT" has become a prime example of the benefits of stepping outside one's musical comfort zone. I enjoy this track a great deal, and am eagerly awaiting the release the full release of CRYSALIS (which, incidentally, you can pre-order here.) There's a ways to go before that December release, however, so in the meantime, give "FAVORITE LIGHT" a well-deserved listen below!

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CHNNLR can be found:
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