Chloe Hawes – “James Dean”: Raw Folk-Punk That Torches the Myth of Beautiful Self-Destruction
The songs by Chloe Hawes have always been about someone trying to make sense of all the chaos from partying hard, being out too much living in crappy places, and dealing with the mental anguish they have experienced while growing up in a dysfunctional household. Her most recent single “James Dean” does not make any attempt to clean up that mess either; in fact, the song embraces it completely. It also questions why we have ever believed that self-destruction could have the potential of being a storyline worth pursuing.
The song is very raw; it sounds like a confessional and almost feels like the punk-rock equivalent of an “I told you!” moment where someone has finally got enough courage to come out and admit their failures. Chloe's voice sounds like a smoky, intimate sound that is tired when it needs to be yet sharp when necessary. She is not attempting to perpetuate the myth of rebellion through her music; rather, she challenges the idea that one can live a "Hollywood" type of membership and live in a fantasy world. She challenges listeners to think about why they have been doing things for the plot and about how things will eventually come to an end no matter what motivated them. She touches on the idea of validation junkies—people whose only reason for pursuing what they love is to validate their existence, the ghosts of past relationships they keep in contact with, and the painful realisation that the escape lead to a track rather than a long-term commitment.
"James Dean" embodies all the elements of folk-punk, but it also possesses something unique and organic to Chloe. It embodies the emotional heft of The Gaslight Anthem, the raw honesty of Spanish Love Songs, and a hint of vulnerability associated with Hayley Williams, but all through Chloe's authentic experience. Chloe created all but one of the instruments used to record "James Dean" with Dan Kiener producing and Sam Cook mastering the project, while Anna Reed added her signature touch to the icing on the cake with her crisp percussion stylings. The album artwork also conveys a sense of physicality through the talent of Manchester tattoo artist pigskinmayhem.
As someone who has spent more than ten years creating a body of work that is personal and intimate to them, and draws from several genres including folk, Americana, and punk rock, "James Dean" feels like a moment in time on Chloe's artistic quest toward becoming who they were meant to be. After performing in the UK, US, and Europe, along with emerging as a strong voice in the LGBTQ+ and DIY communities, Chloe is not giving the audience a story about overcoming obstacles; rather they are giving the audience an opportunity to hear the truth. The truth resonates deeper with listeners than any tall tale or fable.