Say hello to Chest, the London-via-Norwich indie rock outfit who just dropped their scorching debut single MACHINE — and let’s just say, it’s one hell of a calling card.
Fresh off a run of sold-out headline gigs in Norwich and London, and having shared stages with The Lounge Society, Bilk, and PleasureInc., Chest are stepping firmly into the spotlight with MACHINE. Produced by Thomas Coath (Sam Fender, Pale Waves), the track doesn’t tiptoe in—it charges. Jagged guitars? Check. Thumping drums? Absolutely. Sky-high choruses? You bet. It’s all there, tightly wound and totally infectious.
Accompanied by a striking music video directed by M. Forsyth, MACHINE grapples with the anxiety-inducing overload of the hyper-digital age. Think: Flaming Lips during their Yoshimi era meets a late-night existential scroll through your feed. Lyrically, it’s a self-aware unraveling of our tech-fueled obsessions, delivered with a smirk and a whole lot of intensity.
“The Machine represents the digital web of technology that permeates every single part of our lives,” the band explains. “There’s this building panic as discomfort turns to manic obsession. The hook — ‘It’s all a bit obscene’ — adds a knowing wink to the madness of it all.”
Frontman Joel Reader dives deep into introspection for lyrical inspiration, unafraid to explore the murkier corners of his psyche. “I write from a place of internal reckoning—letting loose parts of myself that might otherwise be destructive,” he shares. “It’s all filtered through this supercharged version of myself who’s dripping with ego and stripped of doubt.”
But MACHINE isn’t just about what’s going on inside—it’s massive in scale. There’s a cinematic sweep to the sound that pulls in the anxious precision of Bloc Party’s ‘A Weekend in the City,’ the chaos of Everything Everything, and the industrial snap of Nine Inch Nails. There’s even a whiff of early guitar-driven 1975 in there. Yet, none of it feels derivative—MACHINE is bold, brash, and totally Chest.
Formed in the creative hotbed of Norwich, the band credits the city’s “oddballs and weirdos” for nurturing their fearless approach. “Norwich gave us space to evolve without limits,” they say. “We’re not chasing trends or curating coolness. We’re building a world we want to live in—unfiltered, unbothered, and completely ours.”
And they’re just getting started.
With more music on the way, a slot at Latitude Festival, and a string of summer shows across the UK, Chest are set to make major waves. Keep your eyes (and ears) on them—because this Machine is just beginning to roar.
Catch Chest Live:
AUGUST
07 – Jaguar Shoes, London
SEPTEMBER
12 – Camden Eye, London
OCTOBER
15 – Wild Paths Festival, Norwich
Listen to ‘MACHINE’ now:
Stream on Spotify
Follow Chest:
Instagram: @chest_band
TikTok: @chest_the_band
YouTube: @chest_band
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