Chicago opens with a vibrant and uplifting guitar soundscape tapping into notions of ska-punk as Jay sings, “Just another night in a foreign town, got no plans at all, but you know I’m down…”. We immediately connect with the narrative-driven songwriting that manifests and the cinematic way that Jay brings his story of human connection to life.
In essence, the song is about meeting someone in Chicago, sparks flying and how the romantic pair were perceived by others to be wanting more. The instrumentation is dynamic and captivating, bringing some light hearted escapism to the world at a time when we need this euphoria the most.
We could imagine Chicago landing a sync placement in films like Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Sing Street, or 500 Days of Summer, where it would effortlessly complement a coming-of-age romance. Naturally, we learn that the song was inspired by Jay Hope‘s own whirlwind encounter with a girl in Chicago.
We also appreciate the musicianship throughout, with Jay performing every instrument apart from the drums and the vibrant brass section. Fans of No Doubt and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones will find plenty to enjoy here. Originally from Cologne and now based in Venice, California, Jay Hope continues to follow his own creative compass. He perfectly sums up the project with the philosophy, “No boundaries. No genres. Just music straight from the heart.”
Needless to say, we love what A Project Called Love is creating, have added Chicago to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist and can’t wait to hear where Jay Hope takes us next.
