Pop music has spent the better part of its existence trying to convince us that love can survive practically anything, including geographical separation, emotional catastrophe, and the spectacular stupidity of the people involved. Judging by the historical evidence, humanity remains remarkably enthusiastic about testing this theory, usually with disastrous results. Fortunately, a good guitar record can make the entire miserable enterprise seem worthwhile.
Reversed Chakra enter this great romantic wreckage with Stars Are Forever, the first single from their forthcoming debut album, Healing Heart Rehab, a title suggesting somebody has finally decided to establish a rehabilitation facility for hearts that have been put through the emotional equivalent of a demolition derby. Paul Reeve, who produced and co-wrote the track, joins an impressive production roster that includes John Fryer on mixing and co-production, with mastering handled by Marco Malavasi, Leonardo Martera, and Alan Douches.
The song recalls that glorious period of early 1990s college alternative radio when Interpol, Editors, Kings of Leon, The Killers, The Cure, Sigur Rós, and Bloc Party. could turn private uncertainty into something approaching communal revelation, and the guitars seemed permanently suspended between emotional exhaustion and the possibility of redemption. There’s also a kinship with TV on the Radio’s more expansive arrangements, particularly in the way independent musical elements can accumulate into a considerable psychological force.
Justin Brett’s vocals carry the material’s emotional argument, while Alice Bianconcini’s guitars provide the architecture through which all this romantic damage travels. Carlo Bellotti’s bass and Leo Martera’s drums establish the foundation, with synthesizers and piano contributed by Bianconcini, Bellotti, and Marco Malavasi. The combination suggests an interesting marriage of indie rock’s melodic directness, darkwave’s emotional gravity, post-rock’s expanding horizons, and shoegaze’s appetite for enormous walls of amplified feeling.
At its center lies an almost embarrassingly sincere proposition: that human connection might possess some permanent value, even when circumstances seem determined to reduce everything to rubble. Such convictions have launched a million terrible love songs, but they have also produced some of popular music’s finest moments. The difference usually comes down to whether the musicians have actually experienced the existential indignities they’re describing.
The accompanying video, a series of neon animations, extends these concerns into visual territory. “This video is not simply a visual accompaniment to the song,” Charly explains. “It captures its emotional core and transforms it into images, atmosphere and movement. We wanted every frame to feel authentic and to draw the viewer deeper into the world of the music.”
Watch the video for Stars are Forever below:
For all its celestial imagery, Stars Are Forever concerns the decidedly earthly business of surviving emotional ruin without surrendering one’s capacity for attachment. Romantic permanence remains a wildly optimistic proposition, of course, but rock music would be considerably poorer without people foolish enough to believe in it.
Healing Heart Rehab, set for release in 2027. Pre-save/Pre-order here.
Follow Reversed Chakra:
The post Reversed Chakra Make Heartbreak Look Heavenly in Their Video for “Stars Are Forever” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.
