LOST IN HEAVEN: Album Review

Last Friday, Chase Atlantic officially released their fourth album, LOST IN HEAVEN. I’ve been looking forward to their new music, so I’m excited to dive into each track. 

The title of the album captures its theme very well. According to one of the band members, Christian Anthony, this work is meant to reflect on their feelings of misery and loneliness despite their rise to stardom. It adds many layers to their image as a band and their new songs because it emphasizes their musical and personal growth. The title itself, LOST IN HEAVEN, implies despite reaching their goals and fulfilling their dreams, there’s still a feeling of emptiness. This is pretty dark and also a fear of mine: What if all of our hard work is pointless and all roads in life lead to disappointment?

The cover art contrasts the deeper title, as it pictures two cute creatures (which remind me of How To Train Your Dragon). I did some research, and the black one represents “VOID”, while the white one is “AURA.” The cover of DIE FOR ME features VOIDs, while DOUBT IT features AURA. 

Photo: LOST IN HEAVEN album cover

Here are my thoughts on each of the 13 tracks. 

FAVELA: Right off the bat, FAVELA introduces Chase Atlantic’s newer sound and sets LOST IN HEAVEN apart from their previous works. I think the song carries a lot of potential with the bass and addicting hook. This song also reminds me of MAMACITA, which is later in the album and was released last year. Overall, definitely a strong start to their fourth album.

DIE FOR ME: Against popular opinion, I really love this song. Many fans think it’s too similar to SLIDE, which was on their last album, BEAUTY IN DEATH, but honestly, that’s why I like it so much. Although it's not super original, it has that hypnotic and dreamy vibe that I love.

RICOCHET: This is definitely one of Chase Atlantic’s best songs yet. The chorus is catchy and not comparable to any of their previous songs. The lyricism is also well thought out and matches the album’s overall message very well. My favorite lyrics in the chorus are “I’m so tired, and I’ve only got myself to blame/ Might not make it to my 30s, dig an early grave/ Until then; I’ll keep on smiling” because it’s the universal 20s experience.

YOU: Another phenomenal song on the album. It also reflects on the band’s growth and fits in well with the messages of LOST IN HEAVEN. The chorus is full of emotion and so on, yet the brand is still unique. The lyrics are well written, describing withdrawal and becoming a better person for someone you love. There are also tons of references to their old songs, like in the first verse, Mitchell Cave references Swim, “Out in the deep end, I’m swimmin’, I’m swimmin’ again.” In the second verse, Mitchell sings, “I know I said it was a ‘phase’/ Five years later, still stuck in my brain.” in reference to STUCKINMYBRAIN, which was on their album PHASES from five years ago. Overall, this track is evidence of their growth as a band. 

DEMON TIME: This song has been stuck in my head since it came out. The chorus is so mesmerizing, reminiscent of HER (my favorite Chase Atlantic song). The lyrics are a reflection of their legacy, which really adds to the message of the album. The transition between the end of DEMON TIME and the start of NIGHT CALLS is super cool.

NIGHT CALLS: I’ve been looking forward to a Christian solo song for a while, and this did not disappoint. I love the slower beat, marking a transition in the album. I only wish that it was longer; at 1:30, this track always leaves me wanting more. The placement after DEMON TIME is perfect since it makes the transition from the fast-paced to the slower songs more impactful.

DISCONNECTED: Similar to what I previously mentioned about the transitions in pace, DISCONNECTED really showcases Chase Atlantic’s duality. Its message vocalizes that although the group’s music fixates on drugs, it takes a miserable toll on them.

Towards the end of the song, the buildup from the bridge to the chorus really ties it together. 

HOURS LOST: Both HOURS LOST and DISCONNECTED emphasize the vulnerability and regret of substance abuse. This track really embodies despair in its lyricism. That being said, I think the backtrack and chorus make it a great track filled with emotion while staying true to their sound. 

MESS ME UP: This track has the album featuring only artist Xavier Mayne. I like the slower vibe and chorus, but overall, I don’t think this track stands out from the others in this album. The vocals are well done, and I think both artist’s styles melt together in this collaboration. This one just didn't do it for me.

AMY: It’s not a Chase Atlantic album if there isn’t a track with a name as its title. Personally, I like MOLLY better than AMY because this song tends to get a bit repetitive. Similar to MESS ME UP, this song is on the weaker side because of how strong the other tracks on the album are. Overall, it's a decent track, but it doesn't stand out.

DOUBT IT: This track is truly for the fans because nearly every line is a reference to one of Chase Atlantic’s old songs or albums. I really love that the lyrics are an ode to different stages of their music career. The addictive and hypnotic vibe fits in with Chase Atlantic’s discography. I think it should’ve been placed earlier in the album, but overall, I think it’s a great track. 

MAMACITA: Although this song came out a year ago, after listening to it in the new album, I’ve grown a new appreciation for it. MAMACITA and FAVELA share that new sound from the Chase Atlantic that I’m starting to love. The song itself is great, but the placement in the album threw me off. I think it’s at a weird spot and would've been better at the beginning of the album before/after DIE FOR ME.

DON’T LAUGH: I adore this track. I think it’s such a melodic close to a great album, leaving it off on a sweet note. It’s reminiscent of their older songs and has a very nostalgic vibe to it. I do wish it was shorter, maybe two minutes long and more of an outro than an entire song. 

Well, that’s that. I believe LOST IN HEAVEN is easily one of Chase Atlantic’s best albums because of how well it showcases its wide range of genres and its growth over the years. While BEAUTY IN DEATH (2021) is still my favorite album of theirs, I’m sure after a few listens, this one will be a close second.