What started as a solo project for vocalist and guitarist, Matt Donnelly, Chasing Kites would become a full fledged band through the power of ‘band members wanted’ ads and social media. By June 2022, they would finalise their line up and by July with James Hunt on drums, Liam Hope on guitar, and Nathan Price on bass, Chasing Kites were chosen as BBC Bristol’s ‘Big New Sound’ with the release of their single “Slide”.
On the heels of that success, the Bath-based four piece are back with their fourth and fresh new track, “Shiver”.
From the outside looking in, “Shiver” explores the frustration and heartbreak of watching a loved one’s dysfunctional relationship. The song was recorded with Sam Winfield (Amber Run, Bring Me The Horizon) and Donnelly says this of the writing process for the song,
“‘Shiver’ came together extremely quickly. I’d had the lyrics lying around for a very long time and felt they fit perfectly with the sonic side of the track when the melody was written. As we built on the skeleton of the song, our aim was to take us back into the realms of indie rock through powerful injections of energy in the choruses, while maintaining our commercial sound throughout.”
With the opening guitar riff, I am hooked on “Shiver”. It has that tinny Edge-esque sound that I love and it carries on through out the song, fading to allow Donnelly’s voice and lyrics to bring the previously mentioned frustration and heartbreak to life.
The lyrics hit a visceral bone, but it’s the tone in Donnelly’s voice that makes the narrative of the song light, instead of dark. Through the power of his tone, there’s a hope within the sadness of the lyrics.
The band seamlessly blends tightly crafted music and heartfelt lyrics that tug at the emotional heart strings of the listener.
It is simply the power of what good music can do.
Listen to “Shiver” on Spotify
