With IDWI, Cholly delivers an intimate and deeply personal exploration of new friendships and the anxieties that come with them. A blend of lo-fi indie electronica and bedroom pop, the track channels the spirit of MGMT while maintaining a uniquely introspective and raw edge. Recorded in the solitude of his spare room—illuminated only by a Himalayan salt lamp and fairy lights—IDWI carries the warmth and vulnerability of its surroundings, making for a track that feels as confessional as it does sonically immersive.
Set for release on February 28, 2025, IDWI is more than just a song—it’s a moment of self-examination, an audio diary entry of someone grappling with the fragile dynamics of human connection. Through layered soundscapes and inventive production techniques, Cholly transforms personal fears into something universal, resonating with anyone who has ever overthought a text message or replayed a conversation in their head long after it ended.
Cholly’s approach to music is both deeply personal and technically inventive. For IDWI, he started with a bass guitar, then split and manipulated the recordings into multiple layers, building an intricate yet intimate sonic landscape. The result is a track that feels simultaneously warm and eerie—like a late-night conversation that lingers in your mind long after it’s over.
The lo-fi production gives IDWI a dreamlike quality, allowing the listener to sink into its hypnotic rhythm. The track’s electronic elements swirl in and out, creating a soundscape that mirrors the uncertainty of new friendships—the hesitation, the excitement, the overanalyzing. It’s an auditory representation of the internal push and pull of wanting to connect while fearing rejection.
Lyrically, IDWI is a raw and honest reflection on the emotional highs and lows of forming new relationships. Cholly captures the intensity of those early moments—where excitement and anxiety blur together—perfectly articulating the universal fear of being “too keen” or coming on too strong.
He describes the track as an exploration of his own sensitivity to rejection, even when that rejection may not actually exist. It’s a feeling many can relate to: the fear of silence after reaching out, the worry that a new connection might fade, the desire to hold onto something good before it slips away. IDWI doesn’t offer easy answers; instead, it sits in that uncertainty, making it all the more powerful.
The creation of IDWI wasn’t without challenges. Cholly battles repetitive strain injury, and every recording session comes at a physical cost. Playing instruments exacerbates the condition, meaning that each song is not just an artistic effort but a physical one. This dedication to his craft is evident in every note, making IDWI an even more compelling listen.
Despite the limitations of recording in a small flat, Cholly turns his space into a sanctuary of creativity. The closed curtains, soft lighting, and sense of isolation contribute to the deeply personal atmosphere of his music. This environment allows him to be fully immersed in the process, resulting in a track that feels incredibly intimate and honest.
For fans eager to experience Cholly’s music in a live setting, he will be performing at The Seventh Wave Festival of Electronic Music at The Castle and Falcon in Birmingham on March 2nd. Given the deeply layered nature of his production, it will be interesting to see how IDWI translates to a live performance—especially in an electronic music festival setting.
Looking ahead, Cholly hints at more to come, with his Bandcamp page offering physical formats of his music, including CDs and vinyl, with t-shirts soon to be available. This DIY approach to distribution is a fitting extension of his artistic philosophy—deeply personal, independent, and directly connected to the audience.
IDWI is a beautifully crafted, emotionally rich track that captures the complexity of human connection. Cholly’s blend of lo-fi electronica and bedroom pop, combined with his deeply introspective lyrics, makes for a song that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
For anyone who has ever worried about saying the wrong thing, sending a text too soon, or holding on too tightly to a new friendship, IDWI will strike a chord. It’s a song for the overthinkers, the sensitive souls, and the ones who care a little too much. And in a world that often feels cold and distant, music like this is exactly what we need.
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