With his newest EP, This Might Be War, Jacob & the Dazey Chain have crafted a love letter to the guitar-driven pop and rock records that defined the ‘90s and early 2000s. Frontman Jacob Reese Thornton once declared he wanted the project to “feel like discovering a long-lost CD in your parents’ car and becoming obsessed with it,” and that’s exactly the experience this EP delivers. This Might Be War carries a nostalgic soul that’s as refreshing to listen to as it is to relate to.
Jacob & the Dazey Chain is the Nashville-based indie rock project led by 22-year-old singer, songwriter and guitarist Jacob Reese Thornton. Since forming the band in 2019, Thornton has cultivated a reputation for electrifying live performances and a sound that fuses the spirit of Brit-pop with the subtle edge of modern alternative rock, channeling inspiration from artists like Oasis, The Killers and Catfish and the Bottlemen. The band’s debut album, DON’T LOOK AWAY!, has amassed nearly one million Spotify streams and earned placements on six Apple Music editorial playlists. With musical achievements already under his belt, Jacob & the Dazey Chain returns with This Might Be War.
“This Might Be War”
If you’re a fan of the 2016 movie Sing Street, then the opening title track, “This Might Be War,” is an absolute must-have on your playlist. Born from “gritty club tour” moments, the song is grounded in a certain pub charm while accepting life’s unpredictability and the good to be found in it. The guitar strums are eager and bright, with an upbeat yet resonant drum beat pushing the song forward. It just makes you want to unabashedly dance, whether you’re with someone or not. As the urgency of the electric guitar drives the track to the edge of your seat, everything falls away into a building bridge where Thornton’s soft, floaty vocals loom over stripped-back instrumentals: “You made it / But you were bleeding through the hardest part / A toy soldier with a purple heart / And an American dream.” Thornton’s voice holds a reflective power that gives a natural weight to every lyric. One of the marks of a truly compelling song is its ability to reach so many people while still feeling incredibly personal to the artist, and “This Might Be War” accomplishes exactly that.
“Better Off Lonely”
“Better Off Lonely” explores the internal conflict of a toxic relationship cycle and the inevitable result of choosing self-preservation. The shimmer of the cymbals and light acoustic guitar evoke the relief of walking away and protecting yourself, with the deep crunch of the electric guitar during the verses mirroring the emotional damage of being in said cycle. The song swirls together melody and depth as Thornton captures the fantasy of the honeymoon phase shattering and the reality sinking in that someone isn’t good for you, even when the desire and comfort feel unshakable.
“I’m down on my luck / I’m shedding this skin / Tonight we’re just better off lonely again”
“When Stars Go Dark”
While “When Stars Go Dark slows the pace, it never sacrifices emotional intensity. Guitar-driven yet riddled with softness, the arrangement uplifts Thornton’s passionate vocals from beginning to end. After the second stripped-back chorus, the drums introduce themselves, building until the final choruses land with electric guitar sparks that elevate the atmosphere. “If all of the stars go dark / Consider this my last refrain / They’ll never drag me away from you / I want you all to myself” is a declaration full of unwavering devotion. A blanket of nostalgia drapes over the song through its early 2000s soft rock musicality with touches of folk emotion, creating a track rooted in shameless longing. “When Stars Go Dark” revolves around wanting to be with someone regardless of the hurdles ahead, and there’s a quiet strength to its simple sweetness that leaves you filled with butterflies.
“Growing Flowers”
The closing track, “Growing Flowers,” embraces a kind of change you didn’t know was possible until someone else saw it within you first. It has the power to serve as a reminder of the positive effect people can have on one another, whether through romance, friendship or even a fleeting interaction amongst strangers. Despite its shining musicality, regret ruminates beneath the lyrics, culminating in the twisting confession: “All the aching you / Somehow forgive / I didn’t mean to hurt you / But baby that’s what I did.” The warmth of this person’s impact radiates throughout the song, only for the story’s reality to hit like a bucket of cold water in its closing moments. It’s the classic tale of too little, too late, but delivered with such striking self-awareness that it’s impossible not to be moved. Thornton leans fully into his emotion while belting the chorus, and a guitar solo brimming with personality provides the perfect release before the EP comes to a close.
Across This Might Be War, Jacob & The Dazey Chain balance soaring guitars, anthemic choruses and long-lasting songwriting that exudes confidence. It’s an EP that’s equally suited to late-night drives, crowded festival singalongs and quiet moments in your room. Each track creates a natural, intimate connection between artist and listener, and this trait of authenticity is only going to shine brighter on the currently in-the-works second album.
Keep up with Jacob & the Dazey Chain:
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