J.J. Chamberlain – Eyeballs (2024)
Mostly the solo project of singer-songwriter John Chamberlain, J.J. Chamberlian brings a unique blend of 90s alternative rock and pop-rock in his indie-flavoured melodies. If you recognise the name John Chamberlain, it might be as the lead vocalist and guitarist of indie-rock band Box Time, so this isn’t our first taste of Chamberlain (see our review of Box Time’s single ‘In My Brain’); however, it is our first gander at his solo project. Gaining some traction on the York music scene, the UK-based artist has performed at local bars like Cat In The Wall. Moreover, he made his way through Liverpool, London and York supporting the American grunge band MammaBear.
Entering the relatively new realm of DIY production, J.J. Chamberlain released his “silly anti-Christmas song” titled ‘Tired of Christmas’ in December 2023. Since then, he delved further into self-production honing his skills. Reaching across the pond with remote collaboration, Chamberlain is joined by MammaBear’s Takashi Takemura (drums and percussion) to create ‘Eyeballs’. A dive into newer parts of mixing and production, Takemura’s skills helped turn Chamberlain’s musical vision into an indie-rock reality.
Tipping his hat at 90s alternative rock with slips of grunge, ‘Eyeballs’ is a soothing flood of kaleidoscopic music rushing across your face. Chamberlain’s bold guitars match Takemura’s crashing drums with harmonic serenity; however, slight distortions flutter through the arrangement bringing both comfort and uneasiness to ‘Eyeballs’. While melancholy vulnerability wafts in a subdued rock song, the guitar riffs and drums catch in a psychedelic haze and masterful symphony. Regarding production, sophisticated elegance clings to the raw appeal so ‘Eyeballs’ is mature but pretty naïve at the same time.
Taken off his upcoming debut album, ‘Eyeballs’ has a sense of fragility in the soul-stirring tale of heartache, despair and inner turmoil, but it is also hopeful with light optimism nipping at the edges. Chamberlain explains:
“’Eyeballs’ is a single deeply rooted in my love of alternative rock, particularly some of the early 90s guitar sounds. The song itself was written in 2023, a bad year for me personally which culminated in me gaining a wonderful stye, just at the point where I didn’t think anything could get worse. The stye was an embodiment of my year… ‘Eyeballs’ is about loss, grief and the breakdown in communication between loved ones…”
Find out more about J.J. Chamberlain on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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