Greetings dearest gentle reader and music fans lets welcome back to our blog UK based band Chandra. Chandra Nair is the frontman of the Chandra band, which also features Chris Wong on bass, Keith Jones on drums, and Rock Cheung on guitar. The band’s music (Lifted and I’ll Be There)has had a positive impact on me and the band is stepping on the gas pedal through their debut EP “Lifted”, this 6 song EP was released on 30th August, let’s talk more about the EP
The EP’s title track is “Smile (No Fox Gibbon)”. The opening of this song is a sharp and exciting guitar strum followed by this foot-tapping drum beat. The song advises against keeping or bottling up your feelings lest it all come rushing out. (” If you keep it in you might explode”). When you learn how to show your emotion, the band encourages you to smile and keep smiling(”just smile”). The song is groovy and will cheer you up when you listen to a just fraction of any part of the song. The guitar solo and the drum and vocal solo when the band repeats the line (”no fox given”), are a nice way to swear without actually swearing. With this song, listeners know the path the album is to take
Next is the song “Pretty”. This song opens with a precise and cutting guitar strum which is brief and you are immediately lured in. The song is a beautiful song that encourages owning whom we are instead of hiding it (”I don’t want to hide who I am forever”). The band also tells listeners that being pretty doesn’t mean outward appearances but also loving and accepting who we are on the inside(” We should be what we want and that’s what I call pretty yeah”). The song is magnetic and it will thrill you with its musicality(guitar solo), message, and vocal performance
“I’ll be there” is the next song. The opening of this song is a funky bass that is off the charts. The song encourages us to find a way to show love or help to others. The song tells us to be kind in person and even over the phone and ultimately lend a helping hand to someone and assure them that you will be there for them(”find someone in need and tell them I’ll be there for you”). Musically, I can say with utmost confidence that the song is a unique one with striking and vibrant instrumentation (electric guitar solo and mouth percussions)This solo deserves a rousing round of applause because it will leave you breathless and speechless
Next is the song “Lifted”. The song opens with a very cheery guitar melody. The song tells listeners to embrace the new opportunities that come our way every day (” The sun is rising up so make your hay”). The song celebrates unity and teamwork that enables us to rise above every day and feel like we’re soaring(” We are lifted, I feel so lifted”). The mouth percussions and the drum combination mid-song are so inspirational and rousing and the electric guitar solo is just amazing. This song really does make you feel lifted and that anything is possible. What a great feeling! I applaud the band for sharing this feeling with us
Next is the song “Lighters to the Sky (EP version)”. This song has a vibrant opening and gets you anxious to hear the song. The song is a beautiful song that tells you to never look down but always ahead and anticipate the future( “Raise your head don’t look down look ahead”). The song teaches us to never let everything dim our light and that we should live our lives to the fullest (”shine so brightly and sing your heart out all day ”). The song is groovy and foot-tapping mouth percussions are in perfect harmony the instrumentation is legendary and will thrill you through and through
The last song on the EP is called “Overload”. This song is slower and slows down the EP. The song introduces a character who is scared and is overrun with fear(”overload on fear”). The other character tells her to allow him to carry her burdens with her and to trust him (” Just offload your tears to me”). The guitar sounds are slow, dramatic, and operatic in nature. The vocal performance is Oscar and so is the guitar solo. This beautiful ballad ends the EP very gracefully
The band’s initial goal for this EP was for it to be an incredibly upbeat, feel-good compilation of songs that fit together and depict an optimistic view of human nature. The idea was straightforward: compile a collection of six songs that, no matter the time of day or how you’re feeling, will leave you feeling uplifted, energized, and prepared to face any obstacle. It was very crucial to close the EP with trust in love and to begin it with a smile and they achieved it perfectly. Chandra has won me over yet again. I implore you to listen to this EP and become a super fan like me.
Stream the “Lifted” EP on Spotify
Follow Chandra here and his socials; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube
