Grian Chatten - Chaos For The Fly

It’s safe to say that Grian Chatten has long proved his lyrical eloquence, spending his past few years at the helm of rollicking post-punk phenomenon Fontaines DC. Debut solo record ‘Chaos For The Fly’, then, serves only to demonstrate his prolific pen with more force. Mining the depths of his inner psyche, the album is a step away from the sonic canon of his day job, towards a direction much more intimate that overflows with poeticism and melodic texture. The collection feels like a bleak glimpse into the darkest recesses of his mind; Grian’s ‘no frills’ approach allows each song to stand in its most raw form, rooted in feelings of isolation, anger and loss of faith in the world. The piano-led ballad ‘All Of The People’ encapsulates this weariness and is particularly beautiful, dipping in and out of minor melodies in a way that compliments the song’s glowering lyrics. ‘I Am So Far’ and ‘Last Time Every Time Forever’ mirror this sonic beauty, the latter’s strings weaving together with lilting guitars and piano as if to create a brooding atmospheric wave lapping on a stony, isolated shore. ‘Bob’s Casino’ is a fever dream, its surprisingly bright horn-led melody and eerie casino-esque sounds swirling on the periphery; Grian’s low register feels reminiscent of Leonard Cohen as it intertwines with partner and guest vocalist Georgie Jesson’s ethereal counter melodies. ‘Salt Throwers off a Truck’ is a prime example of the album’s traditional folk-leaning tendencies, and closer ‘Season For Pain’ leaves the project on a slightly sinister note with its heavier guitars and jarringly dissonant piano.

‘Chaos For The Fly’ seems to exist within its own bleak, fragile, yet unmistakably beautiful realm. With every note played and word uttered, pastoral vignettes of life - tales of different imaginations, views, romances, hardships - are painted so vividly and often with such gloom it’s difficult not to feel moved. It feels like a cathartic purging of real pain, yet there’s also a sort of brightness that becomes clearer with every listen. A striking solo debut.