hey,
my third project ‘dark side’ is finally yours. i love putting music out into the world and it’s been so special reading all your messages about these songs over the last few days. i am genuinely so grateful to have all of you on this journey with me.
this project is the final chapter in the ‘melancholy trilogy’. when i started working on my solo music a few years ago, i envisioned creating 3 EPs, or mini-albums, through the process of which to find my footing as an artist, develop my sound and tell my story. it feels wholesome to have finally reached that goal, and i’m proud that these projects really do capture all of the feelings and experiences i’ve felt over the past 3 years. i hope you can relate these songs in your own ways.
‘dark side’ specifically explores the erratic nature of the creative process, the duality of human experiences, and ultimately acceptance & letting go of past traumas - trusting the process. i did an interview with NME last week going in depth on what this project means to me - what my ‘dark side’ is - the parts of myself i wanted to explore and unpack when making these songs. i’d love for you to have a read.
i thought i’d do a track by track breakdown for this letter. i’d love to know which is your favourite.
Don’t Let Me Down (Intro)
for a while, FIU! was going to be the first track, but i wanted something to ease you into this new world, before the heavy hitter. this intro is actually one of my favourite parts of this EP. It’s so raw, literally just an iPhone voice memo. it feels blurry and uncertain, just like the emotions in this trilogy. but slowly there’s a clarity that’s coming, a positive twist. “don’t think I’ll ever know… but this is going to work out somehow”. it’s the admission that sure, we’ll never have all the answers we seek, but we can have faith and determination to make things happen. it’s the mission statement for what’s to follow.
FUCK IT UP!
this is a mantra for giving your all, no matter what. i’ve written a lot of songs about my self-doubt and hesitation, but this is the opposite of that. it’s about letting go of bad habits and thought patterns, and going all in for what you care about - no matter the outcome.
Dark Side
the title track. this one is an ode to embracing the unknown. the bad with the good. it’s easy to turn away when someone shows a side of themselves that isn’t so pretty. maybe there are even parts of ourselves that we deny through shame and fear. i know that has been true for me. it’s a song about deep, unconditional love. the kind that is to show up for someone, for something, or for yourself, even in the darkest of times.
June
ouch. i’m sure you’re familiar with this song by now, but it’s still so special to me. that feeling of things not working out, even when you hoped they would. it’s heartbreaking, but there’s a beauty to it. nothing lasts forever, but it was beautiful while it happened. that’s the sentiment.
Starlight
this one is like a part 2 of June in my mind. it’s the one song that most directly personifies the relationship between ‘creatives’ and ‘creative energy’. i was thinking a lot about the ethereal nature of inspiration, the concept that those ‘lightbulb moments’ where people have an idea pop into their head, is entirely out of our control. to me, a lot of this EP is about this relationship, but i think it applies beyond just creatives. it’s that feeling of dependence on someone or something, but acknowledging we can’t always control what we feel or what happens to us. but we can control how we respond, and how open we are to the possibilities.
Rollercoaster
this one is the culmination of all my thoughts and experiences of self-doubt, but with the new found perspective of being more definitive of where i want to go. in my last project, songs like Everest and Figure Me Out explored this, but they were more open ended. I want to be great, I want to be something bigger than myself. it’s that hopeful twist that even through desolation and uncertainty, we can choose to grow and strive to be better. this was the first song that Simon and i worked on together and i instantly knew wanted him to co-produce the whole EP. he just got it. the drums sound like rollercoaster tracks man!!!
You’ll Find It
if i were to summarise my journey as an artist and human over the last few years, this would be it. it feels fitting as the closing song of the project and trilogy. It’s an ode to trusting the process. navigating your early 20s is weird, it often feels like you have no idea what you’re doing or where you’re going. this song is an acceptance of that. you won’t ever know all the answers, but what you can do is try your best. show up each day for the things and people that you love. you’ll find your way as you go.
this project wouldn’t be the same without everyone who helped make it possible. most notably, simon, who co-produced these songs with me once i felt i’d reached my limit and wasn’t sure where to take them. it was such a great learning experience getting to share a studio with him and bring these songs to their final form. my favourite friends & songwriters franco & demi for helping write the heavy hitters on this project and encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone. eluera for adding the most beautifully heart-wrenching verse i’ve ever heard, i’m so honoured to have you on one of my songs. lara, for being my rock and also adding some angelic backing vocals to a couple tracks, and helping with the visual world too. jayemol & ollie & nico & joey for bringing these songs to life visually through the videos, and connor on the artwork. hunnydew rec + extended fam for helping get this out into the world <3
full credits here.
this project is yours now, take good care of it for me.
with love,
chris
ps. i’ve been working on merch designs. check the discord if you want to stay tuned and be part of the process. we’ve been active in there. new things for you soon x