Continuing their themes of a self-described "quarter-life crisis pop rock," Chase Petra's newest EP, 'A Terrible Ennui,' takes a more introspective look into experiences lead singer Hunter Allen had, shifting focus between the discomforts of feeling out of place, standing out from others, and the maladjustments associated with these feelings. This EP follows the release of their sophomore album last year, 'Lullabies for Dogs,' which gained international attention for tackling themes of growing up and being tired in a world of expectations on how one should be. Chase Petra, based in Southern California, further laments themselves with this release as one of the newest voices to listen to when looking for music of shared experiences growing up in a modern world and all the disorder and feelings that come along with it.
'A Terrible Ennui' is a quote often recited by Allen's dad during their conversations growing up. Ennui, a word often used to describe listlessness and dissatisfaction stemming from lack of excitement or interest, is a perfect root to the centralized message of each song off the EP.
Starting with "405," released as a single in April, focuses on themes of not belonging into somewhere you desperately want to fit in. A slower, more methodical start to the song harkens back to some of their earlier works, such as "Quicksand" or "Contractual." Starting with a somber bass line set by bassist Brooke Dickson. The message of wanting to fit in so badly that you're willing to conform and become someone you aren't is immediately put into focus with one of the first lines in the song, "Put on your powder in the mirror // What if they see through your veneer?" Then immediately follows the line, "But you should know better than to play with people who can't relate." Allen provides a melancholic and almost remorseful tone to start this song. Recounting memories of growing up going to concerts in LA (off the 405 freeway) and feeling so out of place they were willing to sacrifice what made them who they were just for the feeling of belonging. The song quickly takes a turn from this, however; now backed by a strong drumline provided by drummer Josh Freese, Allen's tone and lyrics become something more introspective and regretful. Now as though scolding their younger self for being so willing to give up the thing that made them unique. The lyrics provide a third-person sense: "You wanna go, but you won't go home // Too hard to leave, got too much to prove // To who? // Who, who?" The essence of this song, living with these regrets of losing yourself as you get older and trying to fit in, is one of the strongest starts to a Chase Petra release so far. Something that everyone can relate to, and be able to use this song to tap into these core memories of moments in time where you yourself remember making the same mistakes and fundamentally changing who you are as a person.
Similar to the themes of perception in "405," the next single off the EP, "Soda Pop," is based on how Allen is now perceived in a modern setting and as a performer. Attributing this to how the world perceives their femininity as a first impression and immediately draws conclusions based on this alone. Allen tackles these themes and the frustration with them throughout the song. Presenting 'soda pop' as a vice throughout the song to cope with these feelings of frustration in a world where they don't feel as though they can act out or say anything. This song perhaps provides some of the most sincere lyrics a Chase Petra track has had thus far. Opposite to "405," this song starts off with a methodical acoustic track. Followed closely by Allen's vocals, which have lost the introspective and regretful tone and adopted something more sincere. These lyrics are not introspective based on past experiences but more so being pulled from the heart of how they feel now. This is all combined with these beautiful moments throughout the song where Allen will lead with softly sung background vocals mixed into the actual lyrics that give the sense that you're not only hearing the words that Allen is feeling, but you're also hearing their inner voice say these things too. This comes at a point in the song where the lyrics "I stare placidly, as if it's apathy // But later I might cry // It's boys being boys, and sure I am annoyed" come in. A significant part of the song where all the main elements of the song combine: "I stare placidly, as if it's apathy," addressing the theme of having these feelings but not being able to speak out about them. "But later I might cry," knowing that in the moment these feelings hurt more than they're letting on and that it'll destroy them later. And "It's boys being boys, and sure I am annoyed," retorting the classic excuse of unacceptable behavior by men justified due to how men have been in the past. All followed by once again resorting to just drinking soda pop as a way to again have a vice for these feelings, providing very special moments throughout the song. Abandoning some of the high-energy, snappy lyrics Chase Petra has had in the past. Taking a moment to instead release something much more personal and heartfelt that maybe not everyone will be able to connect with personally, but the people who can will feel this very deeply, is something to be applauded.
"Your Life Is Worse," the final song off the EP, feels like a return to the Chase Petra songs you may have come to expect off their album "Lullabies For Dogs." Immediately jumping into a quick, upbeat tempo track following Allen opening the song by singing, "Your life is worse without me." This song is the first off the EP that feels a bit more open to interpretation. Although the central theme roots to the same realization and conclusion that someone's life is worse without you. This can be applied to multiple different scenarios wether that be ended friendships, past relationships or simply cutting off those from your life who you felt was trying to change you to match who they wanted you to be. The song stories the degradation of a relationship over time. Lamenting the cold and distant feelings someone displays as they grow apart, with the addition of mentioning Southern California to give this a personal anchor. Lyrics "When did you get so goddamn cold? // How did you freeze yourself to ten below? // We live in southern California // Can't blame the weather // For this, can ya?" is that gut punch feeling everyone can relate to when you realize someone you cared about so much has started to become distant. Sprinkled throughout with tidbits and realizations that could only be accepted and acknowledged about someone and yourself after a relationship ends. "Your Life Is Worse" feels like this perfect bookend to the themes behind this EP. Where the first song mourned the version of yourself that you lost over time, and the second dealt with the modern frustrations about how the world can overlook and perceive you based on appearance alone. This final song feels more like an acceptance that it's ok to lose the people in your life that sought to change you, that you'll be better for it, and that they'll be worse without it.
Despite being the shortest of the major Chase Petra releases, "A Terrible Ennui" is an essential listening experience. Each of these songs deals in themes everyone growing up in the modern world can relate to. Changing to fit a societal norm in order to fit in, or even just to avoid preconceived notions about you based on appearance alone. "Enjoyable" wouldn't be the right word to describe this listening experience, because it made me realize things in myself that make me yearn for happier times or times I should've been happier. What this does provide, however, is a cathartic feeling that, although in many ways I couldn't be more different than Allen and the rest of the band. But we have these shared experiences and feelings associated with them. In an EP that tackles themes of maladjustment, discomfort, and a fear of loneliness, this made me feel less alone.
Chase Petra is currently performing on the Summer School tour. You can listen to "A Terrible Ennui" and the rest of their music here.
