Chas Leman dances through the static on new EP 'REPETITIVE STRAIN'

If last year’s record 'Wish The Clock Would Go Back' hinted at Chas Leman’s theatrical flair, 'REPETITIVE STRAIN' blows the doors off expectation and floods the room with circuitry, drum machines, and restless momentum. Right from the start, this new EP is a bold pivot that dives into beat-driven terrain and trades guitars-first nostalgia for something more synthetic, more rhythmic, and far more urgent.

Teaming up with producer A. Charles, Leman leans hard into programmed grooves and shimmering electronics, yet never abandons his crooner’s sensibility. The result is a curious, compelling collision of lounge-tinged vocal phrasing set against dusty drum loops, warped harmonies, and a palette of analogue and modern textures that feel both intimate and widescreen.

Opening cut 'WASHING MACHINE WEEK.' sets the mood immediately. A pulsing low end pushes forward with mechanical insistence, while layers of melodic embellishment flicker in and out like half-remembered club nights from the early 2000s. There’s a playful sparkle to the production, but his voice cuts through with a wry, slightly world-weary tone that keeps things grounded. It’s the sound of domestic monotony reframed as late-night poetry.

'THE GOOD LIFE?' shifts into something more dance-ready, its groove tight and infectious. There’s a sly wit in the way he catalogues disappearing communal spaces and small joys squeezed out by economic pressure. It’s sharp social observation delivered with a smirk rather than a sermon.

'THE REAL WORLD.' ventures further into experimental territory, built from layered vocal manipulations and looping motifs that create a hypnotic, almost disorienting effect. Yet beneath the electronic sheen lies a sophisticated harmonic backbone, and further proof that even in his most adventurous moments, Chas Leman’s songwriting instincts remain intact.

Closing track 'THIS IS LIFE.' begins spare and direct before blooming into a towering refrain that feels built for collective release. The final instrumental section of guitars weaving around the electronic core highlights the synergy between artist and producer, fusing indie angularity with rockabilly twang in a way that feels refreshingly unforced.

Lyrically, 'REPETITIVE STRAIN' wrestles with the grind of modern working life and the quiet endurance it demands. But rather than sinking into cynicism, the EP pulses with defiance and a reminder that even within routine, there’s rhythm.

It’s a fearless swerve, and one that cements Chas Leman as an artist unwilling to stand still.