Chandra returns with their infectious rock anthem, “We Want Our Planet.” The title emphasizes the importance of caring for our Earth. Let’s explore this further below.

Bristol-based pop-rock band Chandra has delivered the perfect dose of festive joy with their latest single, Christmas Hugs, released on November 22, 2024. Packed with upbeat melodies, cheeky pop-rock charm, and a nostalgic nod to holiday classics, this track is a radiant celebration of the Christmas spirit.

Following the success of their Lifted EP earlier this year, Christmas Hugs takes Chandra’s signature melody-driven sound and infuses it with festive magic. But don’t be fooled by its playful exterior, this is more than just a feel-good holiday tune. Frontman Chandra Nair describes the song as a tribute to the way the holiday season brings out the best in people:

“Christmas is a time when people give themselves permission to be kinder, more forgiving, and more charitable than usual. Christmas Hugs celebrates that transformation, acting like a great big hug in song form.”

Co-produced with longtime collaborator Aaron Shawt and paired with whimsical cover art by the iconic Wil Overton, Christmas Hugs is as vibrant visually as it is musically. For those who like their carols with a twist, the band is also releasing a sped-up version, adding extra zest to the festive vibes.

The accompanying music video is a glowing bundle of warmth and smiles, featuring the band performing in a cozy, beautifully lit Christmas yurt. It’s a simple yet heartwarming portrayal of holiday cheer that practically guarantees a genuine smile.

Known for tackling themes like tolerance and equality, Chandra blends their thoughtful storytelling with the festive joy of Christmas Hugs. The result is a track that lifts spirits while encouraging as well as asserting kindness and community.

If you’re searching for a song that embodies the warmth, joy, and goodwill of the season, Christmas Hugs is exactly what you need to brighten your playlist. With a second EP already in the works for summer 2025, Chandra continues to prove that their music is as heartfelt as it is infectious.

“From the very beginning we wanted this EP to be an overwhelmingly positive, feel-good collection of songs that belong together and tell an uplifting story of the human condition,” shared the band. “The concept was simple: create a package of 6 songs that, when listened to at whatever time of day, or whatever your mood, will leave you buzzing, invigorated and ready to take on any challenge. It was especially important to start the EP by smiling and to end the EP by having faith in love.”

Tracklist:

1. Smile (No Fox Gibbon)
2. Pretty
3. I’ll Be There
4. Lifted
5. Lighters To The Sky (EP Version)
6. Overload

Chandra is made up of Chandra Naiir, Chris Wing, Keith Jones, and Rock Cheung. Their influences come from great stars like Bowie, Queen, The Carpenters, and The Beatles, and you can hear the inspiration in the music structure that features bold guitar strums, funky vocal lines, and catchy melodies that put you in a feel-good mood.

Songs like “Smile” have you smirking throughout the song – without a choice! While songs like “I’ll Be There” carries a promise that true love will always last and never falter. As for the album title track “Lifted”, you can hear the lead vocalist smiling while singing, which creates an element of happiness throughout the song. As for “Overload”, the song carries a dark undertone, but still maintains the boosting energy that the EP radiates in unity. 

Lyrics like “As we all stand hand in hand, and we are lifted, so smile away,” allow you to transport from the mundane work life and summer boredom to a place where you can feel carefree and unworried. Since the band takes inspiration from the core human condition, the music is easily relatable!

“The artwork for the EP is a bespoke design by UK animé artist Wil Overton,” continued the band. “Renowned for his stunning work in the video games industry. As a young boy, I grew up marveling at Wil’s work on magazine front covers. I never dreamed that I would end up working with him but he was the only person on my list when I decided that the front cover needed to exude the energy that we have on the live stage and I’m so lucky that he agreed to take on the job!”

For sure, mental health is at the forefront of their goals, which is why their music focuses on helping you feel better. And what better way to feel splendid than with uplifting music!

Chandra‘s new single ‘Lifted’ almost seems like the epitome of his core songwriting values. It’s drenched in themes of unstoppable positivity, placed alongside an acknowledgement of the tougher moments life throws at you, but the sun is never clouded. All this, of course, is delivered on a sparkling pop-rock sound, the chugging riffs and graceful guitar melody joined by tom-heavy, climax-building drums and grooving bass lines.

The music culminates in a final moment of sheer inspiring determination, a vocalised melody building into the final chorus and inviting listeners to rise alongside Chandra, to join him at the peak of happiness, undeterred by negative influences and upsetting feelings.

Chandra shares, “We wrote this song so that wherever you are, whatever kind of day you’ve had, you can sing along and feel awesome. The thing is, having a brilliant day isn’t an everyday occurrence but the vibe is infectious. And something I’ve personally struggled with are the highs and lows of life. 

Sometimes you wake up and it’s hard to have a positive outlook on the day…. But I’ve found that if you go into the day smiling and full of positivity, it affects everyone around you and you’re basically inviting good vibes… you’re setting yourself AND everybody else up to have a great day. There’s always going to be somebody around you who’s having a great day and those people have the power to make us all feel lifted. I challenge you to sing along to this song and not be beaming by the end of it.”

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Chandra is Keith Jones (drums), Chris Wong (bass), Rock Cheung (guitar), and Chandra Nair (frontman), and their song “Lifted” promises an infusion of positivity and infectious energy powered by their chemistry and musicianship, making it the ideal companion for any emotional weather.

Right from the start, “Lifted” overflows with positivity and cheer. The irresistible beat laid down by drummer Keith Jones makes you want to move. Chris Wong’s bass provides a deep foundation for the melody, while Rock Cheung’s guitar work adds a bright and sunny layer. The vocals by Chandra Nair are completely captivating, filled with such warmth and energy that they’ll instantly improve your mood.

The song’s infectious melodies and singing-along positive lyrics make it a ray of hope in tumultuous times. It serves as a sonic hug for the soul, playing the role of an emotional powerhouse that resonates with you deeply.

“Lifted” by Chandra is a quality rock musical sonic landscape that speaks directly to the heart. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to craft a song that not only uplifts but also touches the soul. With its infectious energy, captivating melodies, and strong vocals coming together to create a timeless hymn of strength and happiness, it will stay with you long after the last note fades.

After seeing success with recent singles ‘Pretty’ and ‘Smile (No Fox Gibbon)’, the Bristol artist now showcases new single ‘I’ll Be There’, a high-energy mood booster that is poised to be an inspiration to all who listen. Filled with gritty distortion to portray lyricism that radiates with positivity. It’s a vibrant and colourful tune that empowers audiences to make a difference through infectious hooks, rocketing guitar solos and driven rhythms.

As with all of his music, Chandra has written the song based on his hopes and fears, “I used to despair at the fact that nothing I did would make a blind bit of difference against the swirling vortex of war, disease, corruption, political turmoil and environmental disasters. Waking up every day to a backdrop of relentless bad news, feeling helpless to do anything about it, really gets you down. But the truth is we CAN effect a change and it starts right here, at home, with how we treat one another. We can be the ones to turn this all around with simple but widespread acts of love, trust and empathy.

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Based in Bristol, Chandra is a singer and songwriter whose exquisite vocal control and tight deliveries always come across in his songs, based mostly on jangly rock tropes that are at once enjoyable, easy, and accessible, but with a distinct taste and vision, his songs never seem one dimensional or bland, and ‘I’ll Be There’ as an all too recent example.

From the first moment, with a deceptive bass riff that starts the tune, sounding familiar in its thick overdriven tone, before Chandra soon enough takes the song into a Puddle of Mudd-meets- Green Day-meets-Travis kind of vibe. With weighty, warm production channeling the former, catchy hooks and colorful visuals channeling the middle, and endlessly compelling melodies channeling the latter.

The upbeat performances by the band on the solid color backgrounds in the video lend the song a certain lightness that matches the uplifting lyrics about those who feel like adding a positive value to the world but also feel unable to do so, and how Chandra will be there for them to cheer them on.

The sweet chorus with its restrained rhythm guitar strums, and the terrific lead guitar solo that comes after a vocal eruption that heightens the mood, making an already epically performed solo even more impactful, are just two of the things that make Chandra ‘I’ll Be There’ a gratifying musical journey. Along with the video, the words, and the rich production by Chandra himself and Aaron Short and we end up with a wonderful release of balanced alternative rock with upbeat undertones.

The UK artist unleashes the alt-rock energy with “Smile”…

…with elements from punk and pop rock, “Smile” is a shining star in the night sky that is filled with the 21st-century global direction of the trap genre…but Chandra has other plans, aiming to take audiences from around the world to the powerful world of rock.

…filled with feel-good, dancey, euphoric and uplifting energies, “Smile” starts with a powerful punk guitar intro with vocals…the drums start out at half speed, but then it goes into fifth gear and doesn’t hold back…

…so do the guitars, bass and vocals…” Smile” is a song that doesn’t hold back and lets the musicality just flow naturally and artistically.

There is also another bit that needs some light to be shined upon…the song’s name is “Smile” (no fox gibbon)…which you might not get at first, but when the “no fox gibbon” bridge starts to lay down, you’ll get it…if you’re laughing now, then you got it…it definitely put a smile on my face…

…hey, wait…it really did put a “Smile” on my face…well that’s the message of the song, it’s a song that wants to put a smile on our faces and hearts, making us feel good.

I salute Chandra for making a song with that goal in mind…it’s the kind of song that has both a very high musicality to it while also being entertaining, fun, and super enjoyable.

Wishing Chandra all the best in life, as he’s trying to do the same for the world through his music.

Cheers!