Central Illinois indie savant Chaepter embraces hazy melancholia on new single “Something About People.” The track opens with a reverb-drenched guitar tone reminiscent of 2010’s bedroom pop, though the chord progression contains significantly more drama than your typical lo-fi fare, inviting the listener into a dream pop dungeon of the songwriter’s own making. These haunted, echoing guitar chords provide a perfect backdrop for Chaepter’s decidedly post-punk inspired vocals and lyrics.
The intermittently strained and intentionally dry vocal performance employs a deceptively catchy melody, seemingly plucking raspy high notes out of thin air during the verse, before settling into the comfortable chorus; “There’s something about people that keeps me coming back.” The end of the hook is punctuated by a delightful little guitar line, easing the listener back into the second verse and eventually taking the position of lead guitar melody. The songwriting is meticulous yet natural, every note in its right place is if Chaepter found them there.
The highlight of the track comes after the second chorus, as the drums cease completely and the lyrics sit front and center in a deep river of ambiance; “Don’t drink the water its poison/Don’t breathe the air it’ll hurt your brain.” As the drums come back, they usher in a cacophonous wall of sound that enhances the refrain of the track’s title. This provides one of the more dynamic and evocative climaxes the genre has to offer, veering into shoegaze with explosive swells and heavenly noise. The elastic guitar part wraps around the listener before finally loosening into a comfortable shimmer as the track comes to a close.
Chaepter brings the darker side of multiple alternative genres (dream pop/indie rock/shoegaze) into beautiful harmony on “Something About People,” capturing the uneasiness of interpersonal relationships and the present moment. This is the final single for Chaepter’s upcoming sophomore full-length Naked Era, releasing on March 15th via Candlepin Records. The much more explosive and upbeat lead single “Post-Touch” is also very worth your time, and I encourage you to throw it on before the release of the full album. “Something About People,” should make any fans of the aforementioned genres eager to give this one a spin. So put on your black shirt, tuck it into your black jeans, and delight in the dirge. I know I will.
You can take a listen to Chaepter's " Something About People" on Spotify, Bandcamp, and Apple Music.