CHASE VIBE "LOVE, AGAIN." ALBUM REVIEW
Cycling through intimate introspective moments to fun and invigorating tracks, “Love, Again.” shares pieces of Chase Vibes’ life and the steps he took to get where he is today. On the ten tracks spanning nearly 40 minutes, the Northside emcee brings together a multitude of features from five artists that help compliment Chase’ story throughout the album. “Love, Again.” is wrapped in good vibes and love.
The album’s intro, “Falling in Reverse,’ begins with a candid voice clip from Chase followed by a melodic vocal sample. Chase Vibe uses the track to introduce himself and what to expect on the album. The second track “Buzzin” sets the feeling right away with a light-hearted and bright piano trap beat that accompanies a fun and animated vocal performance from Chase. As I’m writing this I can’t help but bounce along in my chair.
Next is “Speech Therapy,” one of my favorite tracks on the album. This song shows a more intimate side of Chase as he dives into his past struggles with speech. With a sweet and rich melodic hook from Lyndora Turner, and an on point verse from Ozzy The Painter who hops on the outro with Turner, Chase reveals how he overcame his speech troubles. This track struck a chord with me, as I also have had troubles with my speech in my past. The line, “I used to mumble more, afraid of my voice/ Cause when I spoke to you, it felt like nothing but noise,” made me run it back for I’ve had that exact thought many times as an adolescent.
There are a series of voicemails from an unnamed woman throughout the album, with the first appearance in the fourth track “Mosaic,” that reassures Chase in his journey and reminds him of the value of love that is imperative for concept of the album.
“Bass Creepin’” features an atmospheric, funk-heavy bass line with two impeccably dope guest verses from Zeus James and Knucky. Chase paints an immaculate picture of cruising through the Northside late at night. As a former Northside resident, I could see myself riding on the exact same route. Zeus James and Knucky follow Chase and keep the vibe going with their verses. Knucky has my favorite stand-alone verse on the album. With lines like, “Now they out here feeling miserable/ They tried to keep us out shit they used to get into/ They turned into the people they never listen to/ and want us to obey like it’s what we finna do,” made me run it back multiple times.
From a story of meeting a new flame at a bar in “New for You” and another feature from Lyndora Turner, to a song for flexing in “New Watch,” Chase keeps the formula fun and introspective. In “Finding Forever,” Chase brings the love together with the help of Destiny Roberts. “Finding Forever,” shows Chase’s acceptance of the love and admiration from music and the special people in his life.
“One More Song” concludes the album with a strong performance from Chase showcasing his bars and an outro that tells the audience to get home safe. Chase puts his struggles and success in love on display in this album and it all consolidates into one meaning: No matter where you’re at or what you’re going through. You can always “Love, Again.”
(Melodic Noise) How's your day going?
(Chase Vibe) It’s going great. This whole creative process has been really immersive and involved so now that it’s done I’m excited to see what people think.
(MN) Rap name?
(CV) Chase Vibe
(MN) Members?
(CV) Just me. He/him/his
(MN) What is your origin story?
(CV) I started rapping when I was eleven after listening to Ludacris’ Tell It Like It Is. That song is more of a warning about the music industry but I took it as a blueprint. I started getting good around the time I turned twenty after really spending time to work on myself and learn who I am. That was crucial. Being yourself and knowing yourself open you up.
(MN) Genre?
(CV) Hip-Hop
(MN) Label?
(CV) None! Just me.
(MN) Album name?
(CV) The album is called Love, again. The name really came from having a conversation with my photographer Ariel Cherry. I was showing her some of the early songs and I remember us talking about how I’m always talking about love.
(MN) Lyrically what stands out on the album?
(CV) Every line connects in one way or another. That’s my writing style. There’s rarely a big punchline at the end of a bar, it’s more of a dense but subtle stanza. And I speak on a lot of different subjects so you get a lot of who I am here.
(MN) What was the inspiration behind the album?
(CV) Love, again.
(MN) What do you hope people take away from the album?
(CV) I hope it moves someone, even if it’s just one person. I’ve had moments like that in the past and that honestly means more than anything else to me. As a more selfish takeaway, I hope people start to notice how gifted with my pen I am. I believe this album is incredible and I hope it resonates.
(MN) Is there something that connects the songs together?
(CV) Love, again.
(MN) Locals or transplants?
(CV) Local. Very local. I’ve lived in North Minneapolis my entire life.
(MN) What are your influences and Minnesota influences?
(CV) This could go on forever to be honest. I listen to so much music and am inspired by so many. Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Kanye, Uzi, J. Cole. Locally is a little different honestly. I didn’t listen to a lot of Minnesota Hip-Hop growing up so I’m still kinda fresh.
(MN) Who are your favorite current Twin Cities’ artists?
(CV) I love so many on this scene. I think I’ll just list off what’s coming to mind right now but trust there’s more. Destiny Roberts, Ozzy The Painter, Solo Star, Dua Saleh, Knucky, Student 1, Zeus James, Nur-D, Uncle T, Nyasia, Lyndora Turner.
(MN) Favorite venue to play and see shows in Twin Cities?
(CV) To play? All of them have different strengths so it depends on the show. I like Icehouse a lot. Makes me feel like I’m in a Luke Cage scene. Honey, Kitty Kat Club, 331, Part Wolf have all also been really good to me.
(MN) What can fans expect when they come to your show?
(CV) Energy, a good time, a safe space.
(MN) Do you have a favorite or crazy memory of playing a show?
(CV) I played Pride this year and I brought Ozzy The Painter and QueenDuin with me. A lot of technical difficulties were happening on our part and we were being called to stage. We came up with a lot of last minute fixes and I joked on stage as we were setting up. Then the set went off without a hitch and the crowd was amazing. So much energy. I’ll never forget that day. Free Sota, by the way.
(MN) Who are your dream tourmates?
(CV) I like doing things with my friends so really it’s probably anyone I already have good chemistry.
(MN) Other hobbies?
(CV) I read. Like, a lot. I play video games too when I have the time.
(MN) What do you like about living in the Twin Cities?
(CV) It’s home. I love my community. I love how creative this place is. Everything is within arm’s reach and that’s frightening and exciting all at the same time.
(MN) Anything that sets the Twin Cities scene apart from places you've toured?
(CV) I’ll let you know when that starts happening.
(MN) Favorite places to grab food or drink in the Twin Cities?
(CV) Red Cow’s burgers are amazing. El Taco Reindo is a great spot too.
(MN) Day jobs?
(CV) I have three of them and they’re all centered on youth work in my community.
(MN) What are your plans for the future?
(CV) Promoting Love, again. for the foreseeable future and conceptualizing whatever my next project is.
You can check out Chase Vibe’s new album “Love, Again.” out now on Spotify and Bandcamp.
Review by: Paul Thorson
Interview and edited by: Andrew Perrizo
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