Article by Ana Chavez

“LOST IN HEAVEN,” Australian R&B group Chase Atlantic’s newest album, takes listeners on an introspective, sultry and haunting journey that delves into themes of depression, loneliness, and the darker sides of passion. Released on November 1, 2024, this is the fourth album released by the trio since the group emerged 10 years ago. Known for their hits such as “Friends”, “Into It”, and “Swim,” Chase Atlantic has been teasing the new LP since early 2024, with fans eagerly anticipating another album since the release of their 2021 record “BEAUTY IN DEATH.”

Formed in 2014, Chase Atlantic is composed of brothers Mitchel and Clinton Cave (lead vocals and lead guitarist, respectively) as well as Christian Anthony (vocalist and rhythm guitarist). The group’s sound has long been categorized as dark, alternative RnB with pop, electronic and rock influences. Their new album’s sound is no different. In an interview with Strife Magazine, Anthony describes the meaning behind the album title as “being exactly where you want to be in your life but still feeling lost and out of your depth.”

The album’s opening track “FAVELA” is a tribute to Brazil. Favelas are Brazilian slums known to be impoverished and often dangerous, but they are also renown for their vibrant culture. Favelas have been the source of much of Brazil’s most world-renowned music such as the genre Funk and singer Anita. The story behind the song comes how much the band enjoyed their experience touring in Brazil back in 2023. In a reply to a fan asking how their time in Brazil was, Christian Anthony tweeted “We loved Brazil we wrote a whole song about it.”

The band released four singles in advance of the album: “MAMACITA”, “DIE FOR ME”, “RICOCHET”, and “DOUBT IT”. The second single “DIE FOR ME” is a Bonnie-and-Clyde-esque story in which two people are caught in a toxic relationship, with one singing to the other to join them in an otherworldly experience with drugs and possible death. My personal favorite single, “DOUBT IT”, references many of Chase Atlantic’s unreleased tracks. The song explores the band’s fame and experience with skepticism and uncertainty while touring. The repetition of “I doubt it” throughout the entire track provides the listener a catchy refrain they can sing along to even if it is their first time hearing it.

As is common within Chase Atlantic songs, many of the more energetic and upbeat tracks carry dark undertones and themes of drug addiction. “HOURS LOST” and “YOU” are two deeply personal song primarily about Mitchel Cave and his battle with addiction. “HOURS LOST” uses a play on the words “hours lost” and “I was lost” sounding similar, switching them multiple times throughout the chorus. Cave sings about abusing money, love and power, as well as suicidal ideation. In the song “YOU”, Cave sings how substances affect his personal relationships. The chorus tackles the idea of being stuck in a never-ending loop of drug use and toxic love. The song also has several references to previous Chase Atlantic songs including “Swim”, “STUCKINMYBRAIN,” and “Falling”.

The new record ends with the 13th track, “DON’T LAUGH”. The lowkey track gives an otherworldly vibe to round out the album. Through its message of escapism, the song gives a hopeful impression of a couple escaping the troubles of the world they live in (potentially through the use of drugs). The man then tells his partner “don’t laugh” as though she does not take his claims seriously. This conclusion perfectly aligns with the album’s themes of escapism, drugs, and how they affect one’s real life and relationships.

Overall, Chase Atlantic’s new album might just be their most vulnerable and experimental project yet, reflecting on personal experiences as individuals and as a band. Further developing their style, the record reflects otherworldly ideas in a techno-psychedelic space reflected by the album’s cover (featuring two aliens in a futuristic lab).

Chase Atlantic is currently on the North American leg of its tour promoting the new album with over 20 shows nationwide.