LOS ANGELES — Australian alt-pop trio Chase Atlantic has never been one to shy away from raw emotion. Since forming in 2014 in Cairns, Australia, brothers Mitchel and Clinton Cave, alongside longtime friend Christian Anthony, have crafted a distinct blend of dark, atmospheric R&B, alternative rock, and electronic influences.
Over the years, the band has built an impressive catalog, releasing a string of EPs, including Dalliance (2014) and Nostalgia (2015)—the latter featuring the fan-favorite track “Friends.” In 2017, they introduced a three-part EP series before unveiling their self-titled debut album. Two years later, they returned with Phases, a bold and introspective sophomore effort that pushes their sonic and lyrical boundaries.
Phases
Released in June 2019, Phases is a 12-track exploration of fame, mental health, love, and the darker aspects of self-destruction. From its ethereal opening instrumental to its haunting closer, the album seamlessly weaves together vulnerability and high-energy production, making it one of Chase Atlantic’s most emotionally charged projects to date.
A Dark Introduction: “Intro” and “Angels”
The album kicks off with “Intro,” a brief yet immersive instrumental that sets the tone for what’s to come—glitchy synths, moody undertones, and a cinematic soundscape that captures the band’s signature style.
“Angels” follows, blending upbeat instrumentals with introspective lyrics about the struggles of transitioning into fame. Lines like “Calling on my angels / It’s getting darker and I’m starting to get anxious” and “Nobody told me I’d be lonely when I’m famous” highlight the isolating nature of success. The track offers a sobering look at Hollywood’s reality, where the glamour fades, leaving only self-doubt and a longing for something real.
Mental Health and Substance Use: “Phases” and “Love Is (Not) Easy”
The title track, “Phases,” confronts the misconception that mental illness is merely a passing state of mind. Oscillating between somber balladry and rhythmic intensity, the song’s lyrics—“Feel like I’m going insane, I’m going through phases / Pharmacy’s rotting my brain”—speak to the numbing cycle of self-medication and emotional turmoil.
Similarly, “Love Is (Not) Easy” offers a jaded perspective on modern relationships. Told through Mitchel Cave’s lens of inherited cynicism, the track reflects on generational shifts in love and connection: “It’s easier to say we’re just friends / Our generation made us that way.” The song touches on the struggles of forming genuine relationships in an era where social media warps expectations and intimacy.
Materialism and the Hollywood Illusion: “Her” and “No Rainbows”
With a glossy, high-energy beat, “Her” critiques the emptiness of materialistic love. The song paints a portrait of a woman consumed by wealth and status, believing love is transactional. Lyrics like “She’s always been running from love / ‘Cause daddy didn’t give her enough” reveal a deeper emotional void beneath the surface.
“No Rainbows” follows, offering a melancholic perspective on the loneliness of chasing success. As Mitchel Cave puts it, “It’s no rainbows like you have no real friends. They just waste your time.” The song’s stripped-back production and brutally honest lyrics serve as a reality check for those who romanticize the industry’s glitz and glam.
Self-Destruction and Addiction: “Heaven and Back”
The album’s seventh track, “Heaven and Back,” tells a gripping story of addiction and its deadly consequences. It follows a young woman introduced to a reckless lifestyle of parties and hard drugs, ultimately leading to an overdose. The song’s dark narrative—“Then she fell in love with a pill that could take away all her pain”—mirrors real-life struggles with substance dependency, making it one of Phases’ most harrowing tracks.
Mental Illness and Inner Battles: “STUCKINMYBRAIN” and “Even Though I’m Depressed”
No track encapsulates Phases’ raw vulnerability more than “STUCKINMYBRAIN.” A stark depiction of depression, the song captures the suffocating weight of intrusive thoughts. In an interview, Cave revealed the song was written during one of his lowest points: “You don’t get out of bed. You don’t leave the house. You overthink everything. You can’t even move.” The track’s haunting refrain—“Find out what to do / Find out if you love me / While I find out how to move”—resonates deeply with anyone battling mental health struggles.
In contrast, “Even Though I’m Depressed” takes a more upbeat sonic approach while maintaining lyrical depth. The track explores the paradox of finding comfort in sadness, acknowledging that depression, while debilitating, can also feel strangely familiar.
Toxic Love and Fleeting Encounters: “Too Late” and “I Never Existed”
As Phases nears its conclusion, “Too Late” and “I Never Existed” take a detour from the album’s heavier themes, leaning into reckless romance and betrayal. “Too Late” tells the story of a woman cheating on her partner for a no-strings-attached fling, while “I Never Existed” reflects on a fleeting connection that both parties know won’t last.
A Haunting Finale: “I Don’t Like Darkness”
Closing the album on a somber note, “I Don’t Like Darkness” is a poignant reflection on grief and loss. With lyrics like “Darkness to the light, I’ll be forever gracious / Grey in your eyes, your soul must be silver-plated”, the track explores the lingering emptiness left by a loved one’s absence. It ties back to the album’s overarching themes of isolation, pain, and the search for solace.
Final Thoughts
With Phases, Chase Atlantic delivers a masterclass in genre-blending, seamlessly fusing R&B, alternative, and electronic influences with deeply personal storytelling. The album’s themes of mental health, substance abuse, and the dark side of fame offer listeners a cathartic yet thrilling experience. While Phases doesn’t shy away from despair, it also doesn’t wallow in it—proving that even in the darkest moments, there’s beauty in the chaos.