DON'T TRY THIS by Chase Atlantic

Fresh off a year of touring, Chase Atlantic delivers a stunningly cohesive EP, complete with sex, drugs, and their signature “badass” sound.

Via @ChaseAtlantic on Twitter

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2019 kicked off with a bang for Chase Atlantic. Since the release of their debut album in October of 2018, the band has continued to please fans and onlookers alike, whether it be music videos, or even a headlining tour. Now, less than half a year later, their newest project, DON’T TRY THIS, reminds us that they aren’t slowing down anytime soon.

DON’T TRY THIS encompasses everything fans have grown to love about Chase Atlantic, from the unorthodox lyrics to the instrumentals layered over traditional trap and RnB beats. But, in addition to the old tricks fans have grown to love, Chase Atlantic has pushed new boundaries in this EP, with even more unorthodox lyrics (which seem to make the songs better, if that’s even possible), and a heavier trap/RnB influence.

The lead single, LIKE A ROCKSTAR, served as great preview to the album when it was released in early December. The Post Malone inspired track gives us something we can dance to, fitting perfectly in the middle of the EP. Following LIKE A ROCKSTAR, YOU TOO, a groovy alternative ballad was released, giving a little more insight into the EP’s sound. YOU TOO. has a much slower tempo than other Chase Atlantic songs, but still includes lyrics that leave you thinking, even after the song is over. Christian Anthony takes the second verse on this song, which is a nice change from the usual vocals, and shows how versatile the band can be at times.

WHAT YOU CALL THAT, the first song on the EP, serves as a nice introduction to the album without being a “throw-away song.” I can easily recognize this song and jam to it when it comes on, and it still encompasses the Chase Atlantic sound. The lyrics stand out as well, with the line “Cocaine stains on my Nikes” being a fan favorite and one that’s sung the loudest during their shows. The next new song, DEVILISH, can be best described a trippy badass anthem, which seems like so much fun to see live. The instrumental production shines through on this song, especially in the beginning before the lyrics start. Once the lyrics start, it’s a roller coaster of drugs, sex, and surprisingly, God (but not in the way you might think). The pre-chorus is one of my favorite parts of the song, with the beat slowing down before the main beat drops.

GREENGREENGREEN took me by surprise. It’s definitely the “odd” one out on the album, in the sense that the vibe is slightly different than the others, lighter even. It also took me a couple listens to digest all of the lyrics, but when I did, it became way more enjoyable. The lyrics are mainly about weed and drugs, which is expected, but the instrumentals make the song 10x better. It seems like a great summer song to sing with all your friends, but not one to listen to and ruminate about for a long while after. The lyrics are light and fun in a sense, but still have the Chase Atlantic “shock factor” most of us are used to.

The last song on the EP, arguably the best song on the EP by many fans, shows another side of Chase Atlantic we have rarely seen before. This time, that side takes a more raw approach which leaves us with a stunning conclusion to the DON’T TRY THIS. LUST starts with a layering of sounds, which lead into the main beat almost perfectly. In the first verse, we hear Mitchel singing about a relationship which means more to him than just sex, which seems strange, considering he thought he only liked drugs. At the end of this verse, he sings, “You were supposed to get married.” That line personally surprised me, but showed the raw side of Chase Atlantic’s lyrics that people can relate to, contrary to the lyrics about sex and drugs. It left me questioning and wanting to listen to the rest of the song to fill my curiosity.

The chorus is a raw, emotional, ballad-esch, which seems to transport you somewhere else while you listen to it. The simple background music while the main lines are being sung adds to the importance as the listener is hearing them, and overall, adds to the “realness” of the song. Even though the song is mainly about sex and lust, you can’t help but notice the emotions and vulnerability the song seems to portray. As the chorus progresses, the familiar saxophone comes into play, which always seems to make a Chase Atlantic song more enjoyable to listen to.

This EP, in my opinion, is the most cohesive project Chase Atlantic has put forward so far. When I listen, I can distinguish every song from one another, but can still hear similar elements that mesh together in each song. The songs don’t sound the same at all, but the instrumentals sound similar enough for the EP to blend together in a beautiful way. This project also shows the badass and emotional sides of Chase Atlantic, with a perfect mix of the "badass" side on DEVILISH and GREENGREENGREEN and the more emotional side on LUST and YOU TOO. It’s the perfect mix for long time fans and first time listeners who want a sense of Chase Atlantic’s style. The heavier hip hop/RnB influence in this EP also bodes well with the age of music we’re currently in, where hip hop, rap, trap, and RnB artists are at the top of the Billboard 200 each week. This EP was a step in the right direction for Chase Atlantic, and hopefully a stepping stone towards a new headlining tour, or their second album. Either way, this EP has a little something for everyone to listen to and enjoy, and hopefully will stand the test of time and remain one of Chase Atlantic’s best.