28 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Princess Chelsea - Album Review: The Great Cybernetic Depression

11 May 2015 // A review by Ria Loveder

Before I was asked to review Princess Chelsea’s album, I had heard of her and a few of her songs, but had no idea the fan base the Auckland born singer had behind her. You only need to take a look on her Facebook page or YouTube channel to realise that people love her. They love her voice, her style, her personality, and downright quirkiness.  Princess Chelsea’s style can only be described as ‘space pop’ or ‘synthpop’, and is not something I would usually find myself listening to, however, I like to broaden my listening spectrum on music, and was excited to listen and review her album The Great Cybernetic Depression.

Listening to Princess Chelsea’s music was like going back to the 80s. I was brought up listening to many an 80s tune growing up, and this album definitely had an 80s vibe.

Stand out’s on this album where; When The World Turns Grey, a very slow tempo, emotional piece about lost love. I don’t know whether Chelsea wrote this song due to her own experience or not, either way, it is so raw and full of emotion and passion. The guitar rift with the eerie galactic music also added another dimension that made the track interesting on a completely different level.

No Church On Sunday, is another example of Chelsea’s rawness and her use of blunt and upfront lyrics. I came across the music video to this on good ol’ YouTube, and even though it wasn’t my cup of tea, you only had to look at the comments below to see that her fans thought it was incredible. I understand that Chelsea is an artist that tests boundaries in style, imagery and sound and this music video was no different.

We Are Strangers, is a song that, even though it sounds like a beautiful duo, is all about technology and how it is making people strangers to each other. The opening line being, ‘I would kill technology, just to know you well’. As a person who has a love hate relationship with technology, I understand completely the message Chelsea was bringing in this song.

These three are standouts in an eccentric and interesting album that pushes boundaries in storytelling and sound. The use of robotic noises, eerie galactic sounds, all ties in well to the title of the album. There was also a meowing cat (I am not even kidding, track seven titled Winston Crying On The Bathroom Floor, is just over two minutes of a dainty tune, overlaid with space noises and cat meows), my question about this track is, is Chelsea’s cat called Winston and was he crying on the bathroom floor when she recorded this? Also, what inspired her to create such a track? I would love to have a sit down with her to find out how she goes about making her music. I admire Princess Chelsea for taking risks when creating music and I look forward to seeing what other beautiful creations she comes up with next.

So my final question, and this one goes out to Chelsea’s manager, when is the best time to interview Princess Chelsea? 

 

About Princess Chelsea

The name Princess Chelsea started off as loving teasing almost 15 years ago. Her bandmates from Auckland’s Teen Wolf “were being sarcastic, because when we were on tour I was often looking really dishevelled, and they would joke that I was a princess.” Chelsea took on the princess title, and complicated it playfully. Hers is a partial yet whole-hearted embrace of femininity which emphasises the aesthetic labour of beauty, and unsettles it. In Teen Wolf she began working her classical training as a pianist into New Zealand’s underground music scene. Subsequently she lent this talent to indie pop outfit The Brunettes.

In 2011 Princess Chelsea’s full-length bedroom recorded debut, Lil' Golden Book, was released by local label Lil' Chief. A “musical fairy tale,” its songs follow her youth and coming of age in Aotearoa New Zealand. Baroque arrangements of nostalgic synthesisers and chamber pop instruments sometimes explode into psychedelia, layered over with innocent vocal melodies and lyrics. Chelsea’s debut defined her knowing poise and ornate synth-pop atmospherics and with its original release, Chelsea made a series of DIY videos which became YouTube hits. The Cigarette Duet video featured Chelsea in a pink wig and heart shaped sunglasses beside Jonathan Bree (The Brunettes) in a hot tub. Its viral popularity cemented her cult status and garnered attention in mainstream press. The Guardian named her “The new band of the day.” The video has made a resurgence on TikTok, pushing views over 75 million. But Princess Chelsea is more than an internet sensation. She has a steadily growing, loyal fan base spread around the world, to which she connects through touring and social media.

Lil' Golden Book was reissued for its 10th anniversary as a limited edition package in 2021. A golden vinyl was accompanied by a collectible A1 poster, reversible cover art, gatefold artwork with lyrics and a foiled golden spine. It is a love-letter from Chelsea to her dedicated fans. For some this will be nostalgic, for others a new chance to own the album.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Princess Chelsea

Releases

Everything Is Going To Be Alright
Year: 2022
Type: Album
The Loneliest Girl
Year: 2018
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
Aftertouch
Year: 2016
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
The Great Cybernetic Depression
Year: 2015
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
No Church On Sunday
Year: 2014
Type: EP
We're So Lost
Year: 2013
Type: EP
Overseas
Year: 2012
Type: EP
Too Fast To Live
Year: 2011
Type: EP
The Cigarette Duet
Year: 2011
Type: EP
Lil' Golden Book
Year: 2011
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Ria Loveder

Gig Review: L.A.B. @ Black Barn, Hawke's Bay - 22/12/2019
11 Jan 2020 // by Ria Loveder
The weather leading to Sunday 22nd of December was unreliably sprinkled with a little bit of unpredictability. Luckily for the people that flocked to the gorgeous Black Barn Amphitheatre in the Hawke’s Bay to the sold-out L.
Read More...
Jessy & The Volunteers - Single Review: Phone Face
06 Aug 2019 // by Ria Loveder
For lovers of blues, funk and everything else in between, you have found yourself in the right place. Created and grown into a sexy meld of soul and RnB in a basement in Auckland, Jessy & The Volunteers’ have debuted their song and video Phone Face.
Read More...
Annie J - Single Review: Whenever You Leave Me
31 Mar 2019 // by Ria Loveder
Annie J’s song Whenever You Leave Me is one that all teenagers can relate to; that relationship that you want to be in, but distance seems to come creeping in. The lyrics are mature beyond her years and at the young age of 15; she’s showing that she has the writing capabilities to produce mature, insightful music.
Read More...
Two Cartoons - Single Review: Less People (Less Traffic)
29 Oct 2018 // by Ria Loveder
Back in 2015 I reviewed Two Cartoons EP Lost Boys Club and raved about how they seem to so effortlessly create tunes that need to be sung loud and proud. Three years later, their latest single Less People (Less Traffic) is no exception.
Read More...
Nicole Andrews - Album Review: A Stranger
04 May 2018 // by Ria Loveder
In 2015 I reviewed Nicole Andrews’ album In The Shallows and raved about her rawness and connection with her music. Needless to say, her second album A Stranger has done it again.
Read More...
nomad - Album Review: Can You Feel It?
13 Apr 2018 // by Ria Loveder
nomad soared into popularity with their catchy infectious pop tune Oh My My in 2016. After their song reached gold sales and they were nominated for Best Newcomers at the NZ Music Awards they are back with their debut album Can You Feel It?
Read More...
Ha the Unclear - Single Review: Wallace Line
08 Apr 2018 // by Ria Loveder
My music taste over the past year has changed a wee bit, and I am loving music that harks back to the 80's, and Ha the Unclear do just that. Their eccentric sound is filled with unconventional retro alt-pop music making them the perfect backing track to the New Zealand summer, pity we have just come into Autumn!
Read More...
Tom Lee-Richards - Single Review: Out Of The Oddness
20 Feb 2018 // by Ria Loveder
An experimenter of music from a young age, Tom Lee-Richards' passion for songs and composition is evident in his array of work. His latest single Out Of The Oddness has dropped and it is one track I recommend you listen to.
Read More...
View All Articles By Ria Loveder

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem