AudioGust – For The Dreamers

“The theme of ‘Here We Go Again’ is the unpredictable nature of inspiration—both the euphoria of experiencing it and the despair when it disappears. The album is split into songs that explore the extremes of inspiration and songs that have come to me while living through those extremes. Structurally, the album follows a pattern: odd-numbered tracks tell stories about the many ways artists interact with inspiration, while even-numbered tracks are either songs that arrived in those flashes of creativity or, like Unspoken, took months of struggle to bring to life,” says Chris Evans.

Here, Evans presents a menu of hooky anthems for disenchanted optimists. With a sound vortex imbued with 90’s to 2000’s alternative rock, his guitar-driven music brings in a strong, driving rhythm section, big choruses and even bigger bridge sections. Offering a deep dive into the creative process, this record features six brand-new songs as well as fan-favorite singles, including ‘Tomorrow is Mine’, a finalist in the 2024 USA Songwriting Contest.

‘Here We Go Again’ sets the stage with the artist jolting awake at 3AM with a song forming in his head, struggling to capture it before it fades. ‘Bubble in Your Champagne’ is that very song. ‘Unspoken’ explores the frustration of knowing when to hold back words, even if they’re true—mirroring the battle to express thoughts in music when inspiration is nowhere to be found. ‘I Like Falling Down’introduces a disillusioned character who clings to his depression as part of his self-identity, with his story taking a turn in ‘Bright Yellow’, inspired to create music that may help others and ends up saving himself.

‘Whole Heart’ follows a band from their earliest days to success, while the frontman wonders when true inspiration strike again to once again feel that fleeting, electrifying moment of creation.  ‘Award Show’ delves into the darker side of creative success, exposing the paralyzing grip of imposter syndrome. ‘Dead to Me’ is written from the muse’s point of view, expressing frustration at being ignored by someone she’s trying to inspire. ‘How You Been?’, co-written with Celine Dion and Eminem collaborator Liz Rodrigues, explores the story of someone who left music behind to pursue a stable career, but ultimately understands he can no longer run from what truly makes him feel alive.

‘Tomorrow is Mine’ paints a striking picture of resilience through the eyes of a young girl trapped in a war zone, losing faith that today will bring change, but daring to believe that maybe tomorrow will bring a better future. ‘Never Gonna Let You Go’ is a ska-infused tune about a character who plays against someone who is trying to manipulate him. ‘Something to Remember’ is a tongue-in-cheek look at folks who feel they’ve never done anything truly memorable. The album closes on a deeply personal note with ‘Keep Holding On’, Evans’ reflection on losing his father, grappling with how to move forward without someone who had always been a source of support and creative encouragement.  

As of May 30, the ‘Here We Go Again’ album is available from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.