“The most invigorating thing is that I don’t feel I’ve written my best song yet. I know who I am now and I am excited that I am nowhere close to my peak as an artist.”

Throughout Alan Chapells childhood, he heard the mantra that you had only until age 25 to succeed in music – and then you had to get serious about life. And, while I very vehemently want to say “fuck that” to whomever started that mantra, I will quietly sit down and continue writing this review.

NYC-based Alan Chapell also gives this mantra a kick in the (insert place here) in the wake of his critically acclaimed debut The Redhead’s Allegations, and his upcoming full-length record Soul Man.

“Having taken 10-15 years off from music, I feel like I’m discovering myself as an artist in a way I never could have earlier in my life. For too long, I bought into the notion that I couldn’t become a successful artist in my 30’s – and it was liberating to recognize how foolish that was.”

In his full-length follow up, Chappell keeps his retro modern rock momentum soaring, touching on the theme of isolation – even amidst the poppiest of tunes. And, while we normally go for dark and gloomy, there’s a nice, pleasant surprise found in Alan Chappell.

Did I mention, after college his band All The Voices toured with Flock of Seagulls, 10,000 Maniacs, Crash Test Dummies and Echo and the Bunnymen. He can hang with us.

Soul Man finds Chapell tapping into a deeper, more personal artistry by producing everything himself and working with longtime members of his live band.

His storytelling mastery infuses tracks like “Watercolors,” a spirited, high energy piano and violin driven romp about a long ago wild night in Soho (been there, done that) with tracks that are more moody and introspective, like “Soul Man.”

“If I’m by myself, she won’t break my heart.”

Dig this, the album is coming in March. So definitely watch this space and check out his socials more more updates.