ALBUM REVIEW: 25 Forever – Chroma
Alternative pop-rock outfit, CHROMA, have put out their newest record 25 Forever. The Welsh trio decided to take a different approach when it came to the writing of this record. Where their debut album, Ask For Angela, was a commentary of social-political issues, this record takes on a more personal approach as they look back and discuss life lessons most people will experience in their 20s. From relationships to mental health to existentialism, CHROMA have created something honest that gives off the vibes of talking about these same topics with a close friend, all against a soundtrack that you’ll find yourself dancing along to albeit unintentionally.
This is clear from the very start with opening track What! that opens with feedback before building and eventually kicking off into an alternative rock song mixed with punk elements. As said, it’s hard not to bop your head along thanks to chemistry and overall confidence that oozes from the song that you can’t help but picture as being a song meant to be heard live. In fact, it’s fair to say that the entire record is meant to be performed live as shown in the following song, Riverhouse, that has a catchy hook and serves to give you the confidence you need to face the day.
One part that immediately stands out on this record is the vocals of KT Hall who one minute can be loud and explosive, as heard in the aforementioned tracks, but also during songs like Straight Men, an electronic rock number that, as you can probably guess from the title, discuses the sad reality of simply existing as a woman in the world today. Major emphasis is put on the repeated lyrics of, “Scared of me, scared of them”, that shows the contrast between how differently this fear makes either side react.
Yet in the next moment, we can enjoy slower moments where, once again, Hall’s vocals stand out as they take on a more gentle, vulnerable quality, as heard in songs like Lifehack and the title track that, whilst still retaining some energy, take on a more laidback, smoother production. But perhaps the most deeply personal and vulnerable moments take place in the final two songs on the record. People Pleaser takes on a slightly darker, distorted style as we navigate feelings and the reality of what happens when we try to make everyone else around us happy but to our very own detriment, whilst It’s Stupid is an honest conversation that talks about self-worth and mental health where, in an all too familiar way, when talking aloud about this to anyone we typically end the conversation calling our problems, and ourselves, stupid for even feeling this way.
A record that serves to make you dance as well as make you cry as you think about life, CHROMA have truly created the perfect balance here. What more could you ask for?
Rating: 9/10
25 Forever is out now via Alcopop! Records.
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