Setting the tone with intricate piano and a glistening, astral frequency, Chapell opens When the Music Plays Again with intimacy, before we are greeting by an immersive violin performance, swiftly tripping into a guitar and vocal soundscape as Chapell shares his soul with the opening prose, “My oh my, what we took for granted, til it’s gone, I miss it all, made harder by the sense that I don’t know when I’ll be back to reclaim what was lost…”
The opus expands with introspective depth and philosophical nuance to take us on a journey through the lived experience of the star as he shares his wisdom and optimism. Speaking on his artistry, Chapell confesses, “As a songwriter, all you want is for people to hear your music. And when the ability to perform goes away for a while, you learn to live on the fumes of hope. That someday you’ll be able to perform again.”
We learn that the multi-disciplinary creator is joined by Clint Wells on guitar and Lorenza on violin, creating a cohesive and dimensional tapestry of sound that is highly emotive and charismatic. We appreciate the high emotional quotient and self-aware nature of what the pianist and vocalist shares.
Alan Chapell is a cultural alchemist who designs his timeless art with the sonic textures of the 80s and 90s with the introspective lyricism of the 70s. Chapell‘s musical journey began as a prodigy in Stamford, Connecticut, leading to early success with producer Jimmy Ienner. His time leading the East-West fusion band Kalki in Mumbai further diversified his sound. Over the past decade, albums like The Redhead’s Allegations, Soul Man, and Love in the Summer of Trouble have showcased his ability to intertwine catchy melodies with deep emotional narratives.
In 2019, Penultimate marked a peak in his career, reflecting his expertise in privacy and digital media. His 2020 album Cinco and 2022’s Two Fishes continued to explore personal and societal themes. Chapell’s live performances, shared with icons like the Gin Blossoms and Lisa Loeb, create communal experiences that foster a sense of belonging and collective inspiration.
It is clear that Chapell has a lot to share and we cannot wait to hear more from him! In the meantime, we have added the inspiring and anthemic When the Music Plays Again to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our new TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Chapell‘s wider discography including On the Rooftop, and anticipate future releases from the talented cultural alchemist!