Chandra – Pretty (2023)
Tasting different types of rock, singer-songwriter Chandra traipses from alternative to indie to pop-rock with his diverse style. Sliding intimate lyricism and heartfelt tones in a bright, bold sonic wrapper, Chandra is known for enthusiasm, engagement and raw authenticity. This is the first time the UK-based musician has hit our ears but we’re not the only one left agape by his talent. With coverage from international blogs, radio stations and global playlists, Chandra is garnering a following far beyond his UK borders. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Pretty’.
Following his single ‘Lighters To The Sky’, Chandra pays tribute to the pop-rock sounds of the 90s/00s with a sliver of pop-punk and emo crisscrossing across the melody. Emo-rock tends to have a stigma of being the self-piteous, melancholic punk but with a slightly more toe-tapping tone – then again, is it all that bad? The self-confessional lyrics steeped in a bright blast of rock are not sad or severe; in fact, most of them have an empowering stance in the song. Chandra’s ‘Pretty’ captures the challenges of stereotypes, societal toxicity and, ultimately, finding a way to embrace your individuality. When discussing the theme of ‘Pretty’, Chandra explains:
“We should all strive to create a world where we can simply be ourselves without prejudice. For me, this stems all the way back to being a mixed-race kid in school, being called a Paki on a daily basis through to being a teenager in a band wearing eyeliner and having colour in my spiky hair… Certainly, my particular experiences show that we’ve progressed, but we’ve still got a long way to go. It’s not about accepting any one particular “thing”; it’s about challenging yourself to be more accepting of anything at all…even if you find it uncomfortable…”
Written, recorded and produced by Chandra, ‘Pretty’ is a bold combination of pounding drums, scorching guitars and Chandra’s rich vocals. Proving his prettiness in a pop-rock swirl, there is a brashness to ‘Pretty’. Yet, while the melody tosses you about with its hard-hitting ferocity, Chandra adds a mellifluous flow keeping us calm with his dulcet vocals. If ‘Pretty’ were a sonic tapestry, the guitars would shimmer with a fiery forcefulness and the drums would shine with a soul-stirring pulse; however, it is the vocals that weave a twinkling bright light giving the song vibrant brilliance.
In addition to the single, Chandra released an official music video for ‘Pretty’. You can view it below or via his YouTube channel.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
For more from Chandra, check out his official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
