A heavy, thrashing blend of electronica and rock, it is a cathartic track that explores power, loss, and vulnerability, and perhaps signals a new direction for the pair.

Originally formed during the pandemic, Chalk (now made up of Ross Cullen on vocals and Benedict Goddard on guitar/synth) have made a name for themselves on the UK’s underground music scene, blending a combination of post-punk, techno, and rock to create a sound both intense and (enjoyably) cacophonous. Drawing from Belfast’s ever-present dance scene, Chalk’s drive in pushing the city’s sound in a number of directions is evident, especially on their trilogy of ‘Conditions' EPs; seemingly unafraid to experiment with a number of musical avenues, they fit a sound they previously described to Rolling Stone magazine as ‘trauma techno’.

Trauma certainly seems to be a key theme explored in ‘Pain’ - describing the writing process behind the track, Cullen stated: “I started writing from the perspective of wanting to feel untouchable, but it became more about how vulnerability can overtake you. As I wrote, I realised parts of it connected to losing a friend when I was younger, and how that shaped my understanding of life’s fragility.” 

Against rolling dark synths and a crashing drum beat, Cullen’s identifiable moan-shouting takes us through his inner monologue as he battles between feelings of desire for power and acknowledgment of loss - “Come kiss my ring, I’ll be the king” vs “Deep inside, it hurts when you’re not around”. What appears to begin as a self-congratulatory tirade eventually dissolves into a stream of total vulnerability as Cullen straddles the dichotomy between feeling on top of the world and also under it. Acknowledgement of trauma is one thing, but to share it so openly with a listener is another, and what sets Chalk apart in their genre.

Released with an ominous music video, which sees the duo seemingly in an abandoned science lab being fed substances by an anonymous leather-clad figure, Goddard explained: “We wanted the footage to have an authentic gritty yet nostalgic texture that emphasised the ideas of the song... this is the beginning of the new era of Chalk.

With their signing to ALTER Music, Chalk are throwing everything they’ve got at this new chapter, and we’re very excited to see what’s coming next.

Megan FitzGerald

@the.seaslug

Image: Glenn Norwood

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