EP Review
4 StarsThe impact of this work will resonate long after the final notes have faded away.
Reviewer: Phil Taylor
Released: 21st February 2025
Label: Nice Swan
’Conditions III’ effectively captures Chalk’s style, blending immersive, modern cinematic elements with ‘90s rave-inspired beats. Beginning with an ambient vibe, ‘Leipzig 87’ evolves into a dark, pulsing loop that hints at an approaching euphoria. The piece is saturated with an ominous atmosphere, featuring metallic industrial sounds and muffled vocals, yet it never fully reaches a climax; instead, it sets the stage for the rest of the EP, culminating in ‘Afraid' - an energetic, unrelenting, guitar-driven anthem with powerful vocals and distorted beats. At the heart of the EP lies the throbbing nighttime electronica of ‘Tell Me’, characterized by thumping synths and dark lyrics. The concluding track of these four intense pieces is ‘Pool Scene’, which features a rising, compelling riff and the lyrical refrain (“without you I’ll never learn”) that gradually fades into nothingness, taking the looping synths along with it. The effects of this brief journey into the expansive and hauntingly beautiful Chalk realm will remain long after the last pulse of sound dissipates.
Latest Reviews
Sam Fender — People Watching
5 Stars
An album that firmly establishes his status as one of the great songwriters of our era.
19th February 2025
Saya Gray — SAYA
4 Stars
A vibrant and heartfelt album, filled with emotional richness.
19th February 2025
Nao — Jupiter
4 Stars
Lovely in both its nostalgic and present qualities.
19th February 2025
The Murder Capital — Blindness
4-5 Stars
An album that feels both immediate and timeless.
19th February 2025
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
A perfect blend of nostalgia and the present moment.
The Wombats are a formidable presence. The indie pop stalwarts continue to grow in size and bravado with every new album - indeed, Wombat-mania has arrived, and we
The noise-pop duo from Brooklyn is set to launch their sixth album this April.
A new chapter unfolds for K-Pop idol Chung Ha with the release of her reflective and bold mini-album, ‘Alivio’ - her first since ‘Bare&Rare, Pt.1’.
Following a time of significant health struggles, Nao is ready to make a comeback with ‘Jupiter’, her uplifting and self-assured fourth album, which showcases her shedding constraints and appreciating the small joys in life.
Jensen McRae has announced her intentions for a new album. At just 27 years old, the songwriter has already completed her studies at USC’s Thornton School of Music and has been on tour.
Its effects will remain long after the final notes have faded away.