Chelsea Shag has been making waves locally in Atlanta and beyond since first releasing her debut album Colours in 2016, introducing herself as a rising star. Now she is back with the follow up EP, Satellites, due out this Friday, May 11th via Madison Records. Today we are excited to premiere the latest song off the EP, “Funk Love” and the hypnotic video for the new single.
The thing that makes Chelsea Shag such an exciting talent is how she’s able to mix her retro cool style into finely crafted tunes that still fit easily into today’s modern pop landscape, yet stands out from the overproduced pop machines hitting the airwaves. What you immediately notice when listening to Chelsea Shag is her soothing vocals, and at her core, she is soul music. Having studied jazz guitar at the Atlanta Institute of Music, Chelsea mixes in that jazz influence with blues, R&B, soul, funk and rock ‘n’ roll into her own tightly woven pop machine. Chelsea is a songwriter who wears her emotions on her sleeve while not being afraid to be a powerful woman who stands up for what she believes in and knows is right. Not only do Chelsea Shag’s songs make you dance, but they make you feel. Of course there is also the fact that Chelsea Shag will rock your socks off with guitar solos that melt you to the core (for proof, just check out the 2:54 mark on the “Funk Love” video or go catch her live).
Just as the heat of May and the summer months roll in, Chelsea Shag’s newest single “Funk Love” is the new jam we’ve all been needing. There is something completely invigorating about this new song, it’s triumphant; there’s a swagger to the song as she hones in on the funk while mixing elements of 90’s R&B throughout.
And if there is anything to capture the full potential of Chelsea Shag, it’s the video for “Funk Love”, directed by Kara Hammond. With lead dancer Cara Celeste, who’s been painted an array of colors that show under the trippy blacklight, providing the entrancing moves, the video eventually leads to big a dance party amongst friends and fans that will have you wanting to jump right into the powerful new song.
Chelsea Shag explained the song to us and the meaning it has taken on to her: “At it’s core, Funk Love is a declaration of love but it has become more than a song to me recently, it’s an idea. It’s a love for the marginalized, for the queer, for women, for the non-binary, for those that do no identify with the norm. We are all worthy of love, we are all deserving of our Funk Love. We are all deserving of being celebrated. We wanted the video to mimic that feeling of celebration.”
Love is the theme, and you are sure to feel it on Chelsea Shag’s new single. Check out the premiere of “Funk Love”:
Satellites is due out 5/11. To celebrate, there is a release show at Aisle 5 this Friday, May 11 at 9PM (get your tickets–> Bit.ly/ShagShow). The celebration will continue at Hampton and Hudson in Inman Park for the Satellites: Official After Party. Attendees of the Aisle 5 show can bring their ticket to Hampton and Hudson and unlock a secret Chelsea Shag cocktail list. They will have Chelsea Shag’s EP + inspired by Spotify playlist playing to set the vibes so the celebration can continue past the show.
