Chloe Slater

Chloe Slater has now released her eagerly awaited debut album titled 'Riot Youth’. This alt-rock album focuses on the younger generations' all-too-relatable worries: social and political commentary and climate anxiety, but with a juxtaposing theme of stubborn optimism.

Slater has gained more popularity and praise over the last two years, especially making this album much-anticipated, and she does not disappoint in her delivery.

‘Mother Nature’s Killing Spree’ is the album's first track, which kicks off with a dreamlike opening sequence that launches into a guitar riff which sounds like a lovechild between The Cranberries and The Cure. Slater’s vocals are pristine from the off, building more power and confidence with each line. The pre-chorus presents a change in tone as the bass riff plunges deep while Chloe belts out “Just kiss me quick, though illusion makes me sick / Maybe we could just let it tick, let it tick, let it tick," followed by a seamless transition into the previous atmospheric alt-rock sound.

The standout track on this album has to be ‘Can I Finish Please?’. An all too relatable song lyrically for any 20-something lefty surrounded by a right-wing family will resonate with this track. As the song starts, it demonstrates Slater’s versatility, with this track marking her first delve into indie-pop, with an air of new wave.

The opening verse is nothing short of genius songwriting: “Sometimes it's hard tossing saline to the ocean / Your uncle tells you you should go take your devotion / Somewhere else, not underneath his roof / Stop that commotion now!” and Slater’s delivery mirrors her utter passion and frustration around her views and political stance. The lyrics in the chorus demonstrate the divide between young left-wing voters and older right-wing voters in the current political climate in the UK. “Young minds, young hearts, don't know the past. Maybe that's true, but can I finish, please? / ' Because you've never been twenty in this century."

Another track which is incredibly strong on this record is ‘I’ve Never Felt So Hated’. The song opens with a sound that can only be described as the epitome of dread, moving seamlessly into this alt-crisp drumbeat. As Slater’s vocals enter the chat, her style is generally to start out stripped back, almost in a storytelling way, setting the scene, before hitting the chorus where she launches in and demonstrates the power she possesses.

The chorus cuts deep with Slater acknowledging the impact social media has, while also acknowledging her rational thinking about how fake social media can be: "At least I’m not living on lies." When the bridge hits, the indie rock instrumental slightly strips back with just a strum of the bass, as Slater’s vocals are forced into centre stage as she sings, “I’ve never felt so hated in my life / For trying to do what's right.

Other notable tracks on the record include ‘Southern Youth', which explores the irony of leaving your small hometown and then mourning it once you have left, and 'Get Me Out', which acknowledges the rising theme of disgraced public figures going on reality TV shows.

Overall, the album is completely brilliant; Slater feels like the shiny beam of hope in this unstable and scary modern age, using her platform to speak out and not be complicit.