James Dean Heralds Chloe Hawes as a Bold Voice in Modern Folk-Punk

Photo Credit: Anna Reed

James Dean is the punk-tinged new single courtesy of Manchester-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Chloe Hawes. Described by the artist as "a reckoning with self-destruction and the ghosts we carry," Chloe's latest release is an irresistible blend of folk-punk warmth. Add a splash of pop sparkle that keeps everything unexpectedly uplifting, and what you get is a genre-bending, heart-on-sleeve piece of music that I've fallen head over heels in love with!

Pushing back against the romanticism of rebellion - and trading posturing for something messier yet real, James Dean takes sonic inspiration from acts like The Gaslight Anthem and Hayley Williams (Paramore). The vulnerable storytelling…the emotional weight…the raw conviction…it's all there for the world to hear.

Recorded with Dan Kiener (Lucky Number You) and mastered by Sam Cook, Chloe handles every instrument on the tune except the drums. For me, that's the unmistakable stamp of a musician who knows exactly what they want their music to feel and sound like.

Having toured the UK, US, and Europe - and now set to open for Will Varley in December - Chloe Hawes is beginning to cause quite a stir. And, I get the feeling they are on the cusp of something pretty big.

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