Setting the tone with an assertive electric guitar, Chandra opens the creatively titled, Smile (No Fox Gibbon), with a timeless alternative rock, pop punk vibe as he shares the prose, “As we tread these streets with heads down low, loveless robots, row by row, scared to smile the baggage grows, oh if we care too much to let love show, paranoia overload, if you keep it in you might explode…”
We are immediately enamoured by the philosophical depth that Chandra has to offer with his lyricism, and the instrumental mastery that accompanies him, in turn, creating a dynamic and relatable tapestry of sound.
Speaking on the intention of the release of Smile (No Fox Gibbon), Chandra confesses, “This is the follow-up to Pretty and I wrote them both to be feel-good, dance-around, euphoric, uplifting songs that make you feel better about yourself but also make you think about small changes you could make in your day to just be happier.”
Elaborating with conscious wisdom, Chandra adds, “It’s just about kicking your cares and paranoia to the curb, not worrying about what people might think, and just absolutely beaming when you find something funny. The theme for this song stems from my own limitations and my own issues in every day life, but I really hope that by writing and singing about it, everyone can have a better day.”
The melodies and immersive journey that we are taken on by Chandra feels refined and thought-provoking. His poetic prowess is tangible, and the guitar performances are simply out of this world.
The opus comes with a cinematic music video, which brings to life Chandra‘s universe in an evocative manner. We learn that the visual is “an homage to 60s television slapstick comedy and brings together dozens of nonsensical, care-free, funny moments designed to make you smile.”
Chandra leaves us with an inspiring message as he says, “We all have moments in our day when we unashamedly beam or uncontrollably snigger at something we’ve seen, remembered or heard. If we’re in public then that joyous moment is quickly curbed as the self-conscious part of our brain realises we’re on a bus, in the office, in a queue for a coffee or walking down a street. I am the worst for it and it’s gone on for so long that I now find the self-tempering of joy is an autonomic reaction. I wrote this song because it’s something I actively want and need to improve on. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all gave a little bit less of a damn who is watching and really enjoyed those amazing moments in our day? Let’s all let go and smile like there are absolutely no f**ks given.”
We love what Chandra has to offer with Smile (No Fox Gibbon), and have added the anthem to our New Music Spotlight playlist, as well as our brand new TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to explore Chandra‘s wider discography, including Pretty!