Chan the Human drops new album

Hailing from Providence in Rhode Island, Chan the Human has been on the rise in the indie singer-songwriter landscape. With a love for both writing and performing, his music blends poetic lyricism with inventive arrangements, resulting in songs that feel at once reflective and engaging. Since his debut in 2018, Chan has consistently offered up honest, emotionally compelling tracks that have struck a chord with listeners around the world.

Making his official artistic entrance back in 2018 with the debut single “The River,” his sophomore single “The Shadow’s Dance” followed before his first EP, A Reason to Be, landed the next year. Since then, he’s released several well-received tracks as well as his first full-length record, Peace, Hereafter, which arrived in 2021. Now he brings us his latest release with He Became Everything, his sophomore full length studio album.

Recorded and mastered at VuDu Studios in Port Jefferson, New York, the record finds Chan venturing beyond the folk-leaning origins of his earlier work, embracing a more expansive fabric of sounds while keeping his lyrical focus firmly at the centre. Featuring eleven tracks, the album builds on Chan the Human’s delicate songwriting with subtly experimentation to offer a diverse and thoroughly enjoyable listening experience.

Opened with “Highlights,” the soft strums of acoustic guitar, joined by Chan’s elegant vocals spinning graceful melodies alongside the gentle plinks of piano. Gradually developing with the laid back rustle of drums, the energy rises with bright string textures to form a dazzling folk pop scene brimming with picture painting lyricism, charming vocal performance and intricate instrumentation.

“Alive” follows with immediate energy, injecting a driving indie rock sound with lively drums and charging guitar layers before simmering down in the verse as his smooth voice glides above shimmering guitar backing, resulting in an epic slice of instantly catchy indie music. Surging in the chorus with splashing drums and stacks of guitar and bass capped by soaring vocal performance, it’s a stunning showcase of Chan the Human’s musical range.

With “Empty Space,” he slows things back down with the quiet plucks of guitar and silky vocal delivery met with the rolling patter of drums and atmospheric instrumental elements, forming an intimate and wholly absorbing soundscape. Flowing with memorable melodic lines and airy backing vocalisations, the track offers the perfect display of his original songwriting and wide pop-tinged appeal of his sound.

Other highlights on the record include songs like “Strangers” with its bouncy rhythms and alternative rock-inflected aesthetic where fluttering lead guitar lines dance alongside Chan’s impassioned vocals. “All At Once” frames his alluring writing in a lullaby-esque setting of dreamy guitar backing, pizzicato string touches and hushed vocals to form a delightful folk pop sound.

Bringing his musical story full circle, he closes the album with a rework of his debut single “The River,” delivering an updated rendition of his very first outing. With blissful melodies carrying storytelling lyrics, the shifting arrangement builds from mellow acoustic guitar backing to an uptempo sound of overlapping vocal lines and punchy drums to create a spectacular finale to Chan the Human’s sensational sophomore record.

Listen to He Became Everything below