Fifteen years have passed since Chet Faker (born Nick Murphy) broke through with his viral cover of Blackstreet's No Diggity.
After releasing a handful of EPs and one album as Chet Faker, Murphy then unveiled a pair of records under his birth name before reverting back to the moniker for 2021’s Hotel Surrender set.
The opening Over You eases in gently, sighing strings and delicate piano chords setting the stage for Murphy’s flawless, soulful croon: “I was gettin’ over/ You-oo-oo…” His instinctive phrasing and immaculate pitch are always welcome; no affectation, just unfiltered artistic expression.
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Piano, birdsong, harp and windchimes – the upbeat 1000 Ways captures the feeling of falling in love. Murphy checks in, “Is your heart okay?” over a jangly beat that won’t quit.
Wooing tracks are sprinkled throughout this record – yep, it’s romantic AF. “And I will come/ Alone/ For yoouuu…” – Far Side Of The Moon sounds like finally locking lips with someone you’ve been crushing hard on for years.
This Time For Real unleashes a trademark soaring note – what a showoff! Here, Murphy sounds buoyant and optimistic: following a werewolf-like “Aah-OOH!”, he giggles then clears his throat.
Featuring fluttering synth and a string ensemble, Remember Me is almost Van Dyke Parks-level grand. Sax saunters in, then sizzles periodically.
During Inefficient Love, a softly strummed acoustic ballad, Murphy’s multi-tracked harmonies are heavenly. Fingerpicked guitar, woozy synth, lively tambourine – aLex vs aLex’s dulcet, wispy tones elevate The Thing About Nothing and Oh No Oh No’s intricate beat drips with hip-hop flava.
Crestfallen vocals – emotive to the perfect degree – floating atop melancholy, danceable beats is our favourite Murphy mode. Chet Faker is back, baby!
LABEL: BMG
RELEASE: 13 FEB
