On “Chantilly”, NO CIGAR capture the weight of expectations and the pressure to “create something special.”
Written during their European tour last year, the track emerged from what the band called an “exciting period of songwriting” tinged with creative anxiety. Named after the French town where they stayed in an Airbnb while working on their new album, “Chantilly” reflects both the struggles and the breakthroughs of the process.
“Having flown halfway around the world to play shows and write new music, there was a very real pressure to produce something worthy of the beautiful town we were in,” the band revealed.
“That pressure slowly began to build. We’d hit a bit of a wall creatively, or so it seemed, until we decided to clear the heads, and venture out into the picturesque autumnal embankments of the river that meandered through Chantilly. Upon returning to our instruments, the valve was released.”
The track opens with high energy before gliding through shimmering guitars, atmospheric instrumental sections, and Willy Ferrier’s earnest vocals. “I’m confused but not disheartened / We’ve got a while to make it work / I guess we’ll see if this ends in Chantilly,” Ferrier sings, his words grappling with doubt and hope.
An intriguing lyrical detail sees the band referencing a progression in sales, from 400 bottles to 1,000, perhaps tying their success – or their shared journey – to these milestones.
“Chantilly” marks the band’s first release since their second album, The Great Escape. The record’s standout single, “”Concubine” climbed to #1 on rock radio.
With their blend of indie rock and narrative-driven songwriting, the Kiwis have built a loyal following over the past five years. Their latest Instagram post teases even bigger things ahead: “Will it end in Chantilly? You’ll find out soon enough, but we like to think we’re just getting started…”
If “Chantilly” is any indication, 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for NO CIGAR.
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NO CIGAR’s “Chantilly” is out now.
