Impressing across both jangly rock immediacy and contemplative folk beauty, 95 is an immersive new EP from CHAFT. The project of Derek Miller, CHAFT unveils a moving array of songwriting, inspired by personal health challenges — including a life-changing medical diagnosis and surgery. Resulting themes of mortality, anxiety, and an enduring love for family pair with the stellar production, seamlessly traversing across jangly pop, slacker-rock, and folk.
A jangly rock radiance stirs on the EP’s opening title track. “I thought I had it right, but it’s killing me inside,” Miller sings, captivating into a fuzzier guitar switch-up — where his vocals exude a more dazed, psych-friendly introspection. “I quickly resist,” he lets out there, then moving into a wordless vocal harmonizing that melds beautifully with snappy percussion and chipper guitar twangs. Miller’s songwriting consistently impresses in its melodically cohesive tonal switch-ups, enamoring in both spirited twangy breeziness and hazier contemplations.
The ensuing “Inside” builds from acoustic-set intrigue into a warming dose of guitar distortion, showing shades of Modest Mouse in the consuming vocal tone and acoustic/electric swells. “I hope that things were good, and I thought just like I should,” Miller lets out, following the “my surgeon,” recollections and ensuant anger — seemingly musing on mortality and the anxiety involved within contemplating one’s potential demise. A synth-touched shift at mid-point proves especially magnetic. “Life” comes next with a more reflective calmness, exuding a gentle folk arsenal amidst the dreamy “comes another life,” sense of hopefulness.
A more rousing pace returns on “Years,” where shimmering acoustic briskness combines with perspectives on decision-making and personal timelines. “It’s the reason I left, it’s the reason that you stay,” Miller sings, moving into a debonair rock pulse in the middle as the “I’ll be waiting here for you,” yearning conveys. Blaring guitar distortion injects thereafter, sending chills into further ruminations on time’s passage. Concluding the EP, “Drag” is honest in its “I don’t wanna think about it,” proclamations — with a resemblance to Father John in the “wonder what it takes to live again,” folk-friendly movement. A fantastic blend of folk and rock passion, “Drag” is an excellent finale — capping off a thorough success of an EP from CHAFT.
