ALBUM REVIEW: Lost in Heaven by Chase Atlantic
It’s been three years since Chase Atlantic dropped a new album. And the band did not disappoint with its latest release, Lost in Heaven.
Chase Atlantic is an alternative Australian band consisting of three members – Mitchel Cave, Clinton Cave and Christian Anthony. The group was created in 2014 and has dropped four albums in their 10-year span.
The newest album encompasses the most experimental Chase Atlantic synths and rhythms to date.
The Palmetto co-founders, Kyaia Villegas (Kyaia’s partner, Schuy) and Micheal Jacobs III, and staff writer Kay Strickland have listened to the entire album, reviewed and rated it.
Lost in Heaven
What’s the final rating for the album?
Kyaia: 8/10 | Micheal: 7.5/10 | Schuy: 8/10 | Kay: 8.5/10
Favorite song on the album?
Kyaia: HOURS LOST or RICOCHET | Micheal: FAVELA or RICOCHET | Schuy: DISCONNECTED or HOURS LOST | Kay: YOU or HOURS LOST
Favorite lyric on the album?
Kyaia: “I was lost, abusing that money, sex and power baby” / Verse 3 in HOURS LOST | Micheal: "You said the grass is always greener, but the sky is grey" / Verse 2 in DISCONNECTED | Schuy: “I feel sorry for the wall I smash my head against” / Verse 1 in DISCONNECTED | Kay: “When it rains, it pours, so we all got Gucci umbrellas, yeah” / Chorus in FAVELA
KYAIA: I had really high expectations for this album. This album was my first one as a fan. I ranked the album a 7 out of 10 after my first few listens. I was skeptical to give this album higher than a 7.5 rating because the best songs on the album couldn’t save the worst songs the group has put out — or so I thought.
After listening to the album for three weeks, Lost in Heaven was a 8 out of 10 for me because the album felt like misfit Chase Atlantic songs on one album. This album peaked with damn near perfect songs. But the album also featured some of the worst songs I’ve ever heard. The album included an unnecessary single from last year — terrible decision.
MICHEAL: My final grade for the album was a 7.5 because for the most part the callbacks and storytelling are done well. The final stretch of the album loses steam, and the big singles don’t fit in thematically or sonically with the rest of the album.
This along with the two pop songs being largely forgettable takes what is the band’s most polished work to just a really good project. The album was a 7.5 out of 10 for me.
SCHUY: The title of the album, Lost in Heaven, felt like a group of Chase Atlantic songs that were “lost in heaven” — heaven being the discography. Sometimes I feel like Chase Atlantic feels like my heaven.
The story of the album felt like it moved up and down too abruptly. Going from ‘FAVELA’ to ‘AMY’ on shuffle, there’s high highs and low lows. It’s too abrupt for me, but with the exception of ‘MAMACITA,’ ‘MESS ME UP’ and ‘DON’T LAUGH.’ The album was a 8 out of 10 for me.
KAY: This was my introductory album, and I really enjoyed it. It was a creative album. It’s also different than what you would expect. I give the album 8.5 out of 10.
The top of the album from ‘FAVELA’ to ‘DEMON TIME’ is a phenomenal album run. There is not a single skip on this part of the album.
‘FAVELA’ is the song referred to in a tweet from Christian Anthony in May, in which he stated the song was inspired by the band’s time spent in Brazil. The word “favela” refers to the shantytowns on the outskirts of Brazil’s larger cities.
The Brazilian influence in this song isn’t notable beyond the guitars providing the melody. The booming bass and comically braggadocious lyrics in the chorus compensate for that however.
The next song displays the range of the band, as it switches genres completely from the intro. ‘DIE FOR ME’ is a classic Chase Atlantic stroking song. The slight taken at Drake is abrupt and unexplained, adding little more than shock value.
“Chase in rotation, no Drake in her playlist”
Mitchel Cave, DIE FOR ME
In October 2024, Christian Anthony said in a tweet, ‘RICOCHET’ took a couple years to complete. It definitely sounds like it – Mitchel has one of his best vocal performances on the album here, sounding passionate over a catchy melody. The use of auto-tune in the song opened a new world for the band to experiment with.
“I’m on a roll, can’t keep me focused / I’ve been up too long, I’m just so nauseous”
Mitchel Cave, RICOCHET
Things take a thematic turn with ‘YOU’ taking a different approach than the group typically uses when approaching their subject of addiction. In this instance there is a story of addiction destroying a relationship.
“You said, ‘Take it easy, otherwise I’m leaving / Yeah, I don’t wanna stay and watch you die,’ ayy”
Mitchel Cave, YOU
The next three out of the four songs sound like callbacks to the older projects. The synths and rhythm of ‘DEMON TIME’ are reminiscent of ‘DEVILISH’ from their 2019 EP DON’T TRY THIS.
The “Drugs and money, ETC” line was a reference to their 2017 single ‘Drugs & Money’ maintains the pattern of a veil of assuredness being used to mask depression.
“Drugs and money, ETC, it comes with sacrifice / It’s so insane, the music game needs Chase to stay alive”
Mitchel Cave, DEMON TIME
‘NIGHT CALLS’ sees this mask fall completely and is the only song during this run without a callback to a previous project. Mirroring the solo format of ‘DEMON TIME,’ Christian Anthony sings ‘NIGHT CALLS.’ The lyrics are written and delivered in a more defeated manner than most of the lyrics on the album, especially in the chorus.
The song is used purely as a part 2 to ‘DEMON TIME’ however, so it is too short and feels more like an interlude than a fully fleshed out song. This is even more disappointing because Christian’s slower, more melancholic singing is a welcome change of pace, and perfect foil to the sonic dissonance Mitchel raps with.
“So what’s the point of hoping? Yeah / I’m barely even coping”
Christian Anthony, NIGHT CALLS
The new two songs also rival the beginning run of the album as well as alluding to previous projects. ‘DISCONNECTED’ was made to be played in concert – the encore part is simply too perfect. The song reminded the newsroom of ‘STUCKINMYBRAIN’ from Phases.
“Why you talking to me baby? Talk no more”
Mitchel Cave, DISCONNECTED
‘HOURS LOST’ was music to the newsroom’s ears. Literally. It’s one of the top songs for this release. The song resembled ‘PLEASEXANNY’ from Beauty in Death. The song is perfectly done and makes the perfect song to play for lyrics or as background music.
“I was lost, almost took my life in the shower, fuck / I was lost, abusing that money, sex and power baby”
Mitchel Cave, HOURS LOST
The final part of the album felt out of place or forced. ‘MESS ME UP’ is one of the most forgettable songs the band has ever made. The Xavier Mayne feature and saxophone solo don’t do enough to make up for the lackluster production of the song.
The album bounces back from this low quickly with ‘Amy,’ one of the darkest songs in the band’s discography. The lyrics tell the story of a woman who fell victim to addiction after her father’s suicide and her abandonment.
The next two songs are great singles, but don’t fit at all with the rest of the album. ‘DOUBT IT’ is the best rap track on the album. It showcases the lush production and confident tone the group is known for.
However, it and ‘MAMACITA’ both stand out like sore thumbs on this project.
“Two percs, one xan, that’s a hat-trick”
Mitchel Cave, DOUBT IT
‘DON’T LAUGH’ sounds more like a pop song than anything on the album barring ‘MESS ME UP.’ Similarly, it is one of the most minimally produced songs on the album, with writing that although decent, isn’t enough to make the song stick out.
Unfortunately, this leaves the album with a flat ending. This in combination with both of the pop-heavy songs on the album being very forgettable fumbles the ending of what is otherwise Chase Atlantic’s most well-constructed project to date.
Kyaia Villegas is the editor-in-chief of The Palmetto. They created this website as a way to continue doing journalism. Their main focuses are sports and LGBTQ+ issues, both nationally and in South Carolina.
Micheal Jacobs III is a staff writer for The Palmetto. He thinks Jordan versus Lebron is the most overrated debate ever. His main focuses are music, basketball and combat sports.
Kay Strickland is a staff writer for The Palmetto. She loves movies and music, though anything that catches her interest becomes a topic she is deeply passionate about.. Her main focuses are concert reviews, literary reviews, and international political and humanitarian crises.
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