By Lane Lannan

FROM ENDLESS SUMMER QUARTERLY – THE BEACH BOYS PUBLICATION OF RECORD

Blondie Chaplin is back, and with one of the most poignant messages that I have heard in a song this year.

This came in the form of “Maybe I’m a Queen,” a song that Chaplin released with The Tasty Kings last September, which was part of a 10-song album titled Native Tongue. However, the song became fresh in my mind again with the release of the music video, which came out on October 1 of this year.

Chaplin initially teased the video on social media in a September 19 post, with a caption that reads “exciting things to come!!,” also tagging director Jacques Naudé. Chaplin announced the video release on social media the day before it was released and again a day later, when it was officially released. He also thanked everyone involved with the video, including Naudé, as well as Charlie Sexton, Andrew Morse, Milo Deering, Stephen Barber, and Charley Drayton, the members of The Tasty Kings.

The song begins with “Maybe I’m a queen, maybe I’m a slave, maybe I’m a number living in a cage.” These opening lyrics do an excellent job of introducing the poignant theme of the song: a reflection on the tug of war between empowerment and subjugation.

There is a real sense of powerlessness in the darker moments of the song, while glimmers of hope and power shine through. It is a very interesting juxtaposition. It presents both internal struggles and external pressures in a way that are very relatable to a lot of people, especially in the current global society.

The image of being “a number living in a cage” adds another layer to that sentiment, suggesting feelings of anonymity and entrapment in a rigid or oppressive system. That again relates to the modern day, as people can, and do, feel trapped in society in a sense, expected to be and do one thing and not having the freedom to be themselves.

The interplay of opposites continues throughout the song, painting a vivid portrait of an individual navigating the vast spectrum of the human condition. This complex portrait isn’t merely about self-exploration; it’s also a reflection of the universal human experience – our constant questioning of who we are, where we belong and what is expected of us in life.

Instrumentally, the song is rather simple. There isn’t anything crazy going on, as the listener is primarily led by a smooth acoustic guitar. This could have made the song feel flat, but in fact the opposite happens. The subtle instrumentation and tones, which have a bit of a country flare, allow breathing room for the lyrics and the message of the song.

There are also brief instrumental breaks between verses that create a vacuum, allowing the listener time to think about the lyrics themselves. It is masterfully done, and shows that sometimes songs don’t need flashy instrumentals. All you need is something that fits, which is something the instrumentation and production of the song nail perfectly.

Chaplin’s vocals are also on point. Given his age, it isn’t always a guarantee that his voice would still sound as good as it did back in the day, but it works so well. Even saying that is an understatement. There is a gravelly, but smooth, tone to his voice, and a somberness that accentuates the message of the song.

A core theme of the song is the concept of duality, particularly in relation to identity. Speaking directly about the music video, that is something that Naudé clearly understood.

There are scenes of people living and doing things that they want to interspersed among scenes of society. Some scenes are black and white, while others are in full color. These are all also separated by scenes of Chaplin singing.

The directing of the video is extremely fitting for the song’s message, and I think it is no coincidence that many of the actors in the video are from minority groups. It is a song about the human condition, yes, but it is also an uplifting and understanding song about how various minority groups can feel in society, which is a message that feels very relevant today, particularly in America.

In a time when music videos are not exactly in fashion, I am glad that one like this exists. It is the type of video where, when you watch it, you immediately understand what the song is saying. Naudé clearly has a deep understanding of the song and knows how to convey the message.

On a personal note, as I said with the instrumental, I enjoy the relative simplicity of the entire package. There is nothing in your face or flashy with the song or the video, which makes the message of the song more impactful. It is honest and deep, and even with its simplicity, is extremely impressive.

There is only one real part that doesn’t exactly jibe with me, and that is the way Chaplin occasionally repeats parts of certain words during the song. Those feel a bit disconnected, and they don’t sound as good to me as his other singing parts. However, that is admittedly an extremely minor nitpick to an otherwise wonderful recording.

Native Tongue is available on all major music streaming providers, and there is a link in the description of the music video to purchase a digital version of the album. I cannot encourage watching the video and listening to the album enough.

While this review is specifically about “Maybe I’m a Queen,” the other nine songs on the album are all great in their own right. It is a very rewarding and enjoyable listening experience for anyone that takes the time to check it out.

I do hope there is a physical release of the album in the near future, as it is one that deserves to be heard by more people. Much like The Flames albums. I also hope that Chaplin releases more music with The Tasty Kings, as Native Tongue feels like only a taste of the great music that this collaboration could foster.

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