Caldher – Momentary (2024)
Surrounded by music as a youngster, Christopher Chan was exposed to diverse styles from his father playing the erhu to punk rock to RnB to jazz; whatever was available, Chan was intrigued. Burning a flame for musical and its creative expression, the singer-songwriter earned a degree in music, and we are introduced to someone who has a deeper appreciation and understanding of the power of music. Performing as Caldher, the Canadian artist stirs his own style with innovation and eclecticism finding the beauty of melodic diversity. The latest addition to his discography is the EP Momentary.
Following his well-received singles ‘Constellation’, ‘Make You Stay’, and ‘Thursday Mess’ – all included on Momentary – Caldher takes listeners on a journey with his sophomore EP. A bit of a “musical collage”, creating Momentary took Caldher from recording at Ontario’s The Recording Factor to sessions at Tibet Street Records and producer Justice Der’s home studio. Joined by Justice Der and Hans Li (mixing), the new album twinkles with the magical mastery of its producers woven in Caldher’s enigmatic melodies.
Embracing RnB, jazz, and slips of rock in Momentary, Caldher appeals to audiences of various preferences with his soothing tones. Moreover, his eclecticism extends to the overall ambience of the tracks ranging from 80s synth-pop in ‘Thursday Mess’ to 90s jazz in ‘Not Enough’, and a modern-day flair in ‘Make You Stay’. It shows his ability to transcend decades highlighting the incandescence of music and expression of timeless themes.
The opening ‘Thursday Mess’ introduces us to the upbeat, toe-tapping joviality of Caldher’s music, which is encouraged by the following ‘Make You Stay’. Yet, from ‘Not Enough’ onwards seems to dampen the EP’s bounciness replaced by a rush of reflective melancholy. What was a livelier mix of guitars and beats dips into a jazz-infused blend of piano, guitars synths, and drums. For me, ‘Constellation’ stands out as the most emotional of the EP, particularly as the ballad shifts from jazz to alternative rock ensnaring your senses from the first chord. That being said, ‘Eclipse’ also highlights Caldher’s versatility with a crescendo to alternative rock endings.
The melodies might be different, but a blatant similarity stands above all six songs: the sensation of raw vulnerability wrapped in sophisticated production. Sincere, sensitive, introspective and brutally honest, Momentary is a delicate encapsulation of human’s fragility with painfully raw music. Considering the quality of Momentary, it is difficult to choose a favourite; however, I feel that the final track ‘Passerby’ has the greatest impact. A barebones combination of piano and vocals, its simplicity enhances the heart-stopping depth of Caldher’s EP. I cannot wait for more from this talented musician.
Find out more about Caldher on his official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
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