“Crocodile Tears” by Chesca

San Francisco-born turned New York native Chesca has hit the ground running this year thanks to her newest single “Crocodile Tears”. For those unfamiliar with the multitalented teacher turned musician, she’s an astonishingly bright individual with degrees in teaching and Spanish which is what she taught prior to pouring herself into music.

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/chescamusica/?hl=en

Her sound is refreshing and modern, but it never feels like it’s chasing trends and almost an anomaly in today’s cynical media consumption. She’s cited that since joining music and expressing herself as a songwriter, it’s brought her a level of peace not felt since then. She’s incredibly honest and has the energy of that cool friend. You know, the one maybe you don’t see often but they just project this energy of being the coolest person alive. Even when something unfortunate happens and you find out, you’re taken aback by the way they’ve handled it. This is technically a breakup song but done through a slightly unexpected lens. Kicking off with a roar that shakes you to your core, you’ll find yourself surprised to find that Chesca isn’t on the offensive. This isn’t a scorned and revenge song that you might be used to it. This isn’t even a hateful song, it’s just dismissive. That might sound like that means it’s not engaging or blase, but in reality, it’s akin to the exchange in Mad Men where an opponent says to Don Draper “I feel bad for you” to which he responds “I don’t think about you at all.” It’s curt and blunt and restrained. Why stoop to their level, and Chesca never does.

This is the song that begs you to dance to it or at the very least roll down your windows and let out a triumphant yell. Whatever was that dead weight isn’t getting attached to, as evident by the way that lyrically, Chesca literally walks us through the scenario of what will happen now that she’s cutting someone off. It’s brave and feels like something that’s a remedy from the sullen sounds of other vocal electronic acts like Grimes where even though they’re good, there’s this kind of melancholy “woe is me” energy. There’s a place and a time for a song like this, but I think an angle of indifference is more fascinating to me. It’s nuanced even when it’s decidedly straightforward in what Chesca is getting across. She should be incredibly proud of what she’s crafted and her confidence and almost the way you can hear her smiling in the recording booth isn’t lost on me, nor will it be by a larger audience.

APPLE MUSIC: music.apple.com/us/album/crocodile-tears/1571359767?i=1571359768

This is the type of song I will happily introduce to others both as fans of music, but also for those who are wanting to write music themselves. Chesca’s educational background certainly helps, but she’s not a machine and music isn’t an algorithm. It comes from the soul and from real places that need to come out. Chesca is baring it all for those ready to listen, and she won’t take your crocodile tears.

Photo Credit Marta Pru.

Clay Burton