25 Forever is a thunderous, heart-on-sleeve triumph of an album that cements Wales’ CHROMA as a defining voice of a generation caught between the grit of the underground and the polish of the modern world. The highly anticipated second album is out today on Alcopop! Records, and it showcases the growth of the band in a tighter sound and songs focused on personal experiences rather than the world at large as highlighted in their debut album Ask for Angela.
If Ask for Angela earned them a Welsh Music Prize nomination and a spot supporting the Foo Fighters, 25 Forever will surely earn them even more acclaim. Lead singer KT Hall describes the concept of the album:
The songs on 25 Forever reflect on the lessons you learn in your 20s; remembering that hard times will pass, but knowing those life lessons stay with you forever.”
‘Straight Men’, a high octane lead single serves as a fierce reintroduction to CHROMA’s evolved sound. Hall delivers lyrics blending biting sarcasm with explosive, cathartic releases in the chorus. Musically, ‘Straight Men’ feels like a pressure cooker. Liam Bevan provides the jagged, high-gain guitar riff that feels dirty and infectious. Zac Mather on drums is aggressive with driving snare hits and a frantic pace that pushes the song forward. Overall, it’s a high energy, “hooky” political punk song that you’ll be humming to yourself long after it’s over.
The album is full of standout tracks, but a personal favorite, ‘People Pleaser’ might be one of the most lyrically vulnerable tracks on the whole album. Starting with a stripped-back, indie-grunge feel, it allows the lyrics to be at the forefront. As the song progresses, Mather’s drums kick in and the momentum steadily builds. It’s the sonic representations of escalating pressure and the overwhelm one feels when trying to satisfy everyone else. Hall’s vocals on this track are a masterclass in controlled vulnerability. Her voice moves from the punk snarl in ‘Straight Men’ to something more intimate and layered, a higher register that feels more like a confession.
To catch CHROMA live, check them out at an upcoming show:
17 April– Leeds- Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC)
18 April- Manchester- The Rat and Pigeon
22 April- London- The Old Blue Last
23 April- Southampton- Heartbreakers
1 May– Glastonbury- All Roads Festival 2026, King Arthur
9 May- Wrexham- Unknown Venue
30 May- Glasgow- Nice n’ Sleazy
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