With an introductory drumbeat and guitar combination that immediately recalls the work of Start Track’s very own resident bedroom pop maestro Swiss Portrait, the debut single from Chi & Me (the new solo musical venture of songwriter Claudio Da Costa) gets off to an impactful start.
Written and produced in collaboration with fellow songwriter Peli Gene, “Before You Were” is propulsive and purposeful. It progresses at pace, soaring instrumentally with jangly retro-feeling Johnny Marr indebted guitar and a tight rhythm section that absolutely refuses to give any quarter. Paired in time with surprisingly desperate-sounding modern indie vocals, the components meld very nicely, even if the prospect sounds a little at odds on paper.
Reminding us a little bit of Passion Pit, “Before You Were” is a lively, bouncy tune that feels poppy, but also unequivocally arty. As the song proceeds, we encounter some surfy Drums-esque guitar parts, and along the way, the overall audio identity of the song is well established.
But then all of a sudden, there’s a shift. The outro is slowed down, mesmeric and warped, and feels like instantaneously falling into a dream from being wide awake. We were not expecting that.
It’s a bit of a journey but it’s one well worth going on. Buy a ticket, take the ride. Take a listen to “Before You Were” below.
Written by Kinda Grizzly
