"A sonic collision where the jagged snarl of ‘70s punk meets the neon pulse of ‘90s rave."

W: Oliver Hubby. I: Patricia Rosingana

CHALK aren’t just making music; they’re building a sanctuary from the static of history. Their debut album, Crystalpunk, is a high-voltage journey through the industrial grit of the North of Ireland, weaving together the jagged edges of ‘70s punk with the euphoric, strobe-lit release of ‘90s rave. Influenced by heavyweights like The Chemical Brothers, Underworld, and David Holmes, the record serves as a sonic bridge between eras, reclaiming the subcultures that provided safety and identity during years of conflict.

This isn’t a nostalgic trip, however—it’s a survival guide for the modern soul. The duo describes the record as a "flag for a generation" that inherited a fractured sense of self and a bone-deep resilience. By blending the raw intensity of a DIY punk show with the relentless, driving pulse of a techno club, CHALK have captured the "beauty, confusion, and complexity" of growing up in a place where national identity is never quite settled. It is music that feels both deeply localized and cosmically expansive.

The industry has taken notice, with Annie Mac recently admitting she’d "never seen anything like them before." Between a standout KEXP session and heavy rotation on BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music, the momentum behind CHALK is reaching a fever pitch. Their live reputation is equally formidable; as they prepare to take over London’s Electric Ballroom and Belfast’s Limelight this April, it’s clear that Crystalpunk is more than an album—it’s the definitive sound of a band flying the flag for a new, defiant era.