Chloe Slater Unveils Debut Album ‘Riot Youth’ Capturing the Electric Energy of Change

Get ready for Chloe Slater’s ‘Riot Youth’ — a politically charged anthem for youth passion and hope in today’s world.

A Rising Indie Star’s Bold Debut

Chloe Slater, the Bournemouth-born and Manchester-raised indie singer-songwriter, is preparing to shake up the music scene with her debut full-length album, Riot Youth, set to drop on October 9 via Stolen Juice (AWAL). Already turning heads with her previous singles, last year’s Love Me Please EP, and this year’s You Can’t Put A Price On Fun EP, Chloe’s latest project promises to be another powerful step forward.

Produced by her longtime collaborator Jack Shuter, alongside Ash Workman, known for work with Metronomy and Stealing Sheep, Riot Youth dives deep into pressing political themes like the climate crisis, late-stage capitalism, and the billionaire elite. Chloe explains that the album’s title reflects “a spirit or feeling found not exclusively, but most often, in young minds and young hearts due to the absence of learned helplessness. Symptoms include a lack of apathy and an abundance of passion and belief that things can and will change.”

The Fire of Youth: Fighting for Change

Chloe’s passion for youth-driven activism and hope shines through as she reflects on the resilience and fire that younger generations bring to the table. “I really think young people who have only lived through a couple of election cycles and haven’t been bogged down or disappointed by a major loss in the past are more likely to have that fire and that passion to keep fighting for what they want to see,” she says.

She contrasts this with the jadedness that can come from decades of political setbacks, explaining, “Whereas if you’ve been through 10 election cycles and every time the government gets worse and becomes more right-wing and more fascist, then you’re eventually going to think, ‘What’s the point? Nothing ever changes.’”

That youthful optimism, she believes, fuels a willingness to fight: “There’s just a certain lovely aspect to being young and not being knocked down in the way the world can knock people down that means you’re more likely to go out and fight for change. I wanted this album to encapsulate that feeling of when you’re younger, and it feels like anything could change.”

Tackling Big Issues with a Personal Touch

While Riot Youth addresses weighty topics — from environmental collapse to economic inequality — Chloe doesn’t shy away from exploring the emotional landscape of growing up in these complex times. She acknowledges the role of nostalgia as both a refuge and a challenge for her generation.

“There are some negatives to the extreme nostalgia epidemic that we’re in at the moment, but I think some nice parts of it are that people are switching off of their screens and trying to live more in the moment,” she notes thoughtfully. “We’re becoming more aware of what our phones and technology are doing to us.”

Despite the fears and uncertainties, Chloe finds hope in the passion she sees around her. “There’s a lot of things to be scared of, but there are so many people who are so passionate about making a change, and I do believe that change can be made. I think Zack Polanski and the Green Party are a great example of a party that wants real change, so I find them inspiring.”

Honest Songwriting That Avoids Preaching

A hallmark of Chloe’s songwriting is her relatable honesty and refusal to play the role of a preacher. In songs like her recent single Ugly, she candidly admits, “I’m a sucker for the capitalist machine / I wanna buy the next fad every other week.” This self-awareness colors the album’s critique of consumer culture.

“I am a normal person in my early twenties who has grown up in a system and will find it very difficult not to fall for some of its traps,” she explains. “I don’t think it’s working people’s fault that the world is the way it is, so I don’t think it should be put on them to change it all the time.”

Her critique lands squarely on those who hold the most power. “At the end of the day, it’s the one per cent of billionaires in this world that are causing everyone else to have a tough time and the planet to die, so I wanted to make sure that, if the song is pointing a finger at anyone, it’s those billionaires and corporations.”

‘Ugly’: A Sharp Look at Consumerism’s Grip

The track Ugly is a punchy anthem exposing the relentless pressure to consume in modern life. The lyrics highlight how we are constantly targeted with ads for things we don’t really need but are made to feel like we do.

“Buy now, now / We’re all gonna die / But you don’t wanna look too close at it,” she sings in the chorus, capturing that frantic, escapist impulse. “So don’t miss out, out / Save your life with a click in a next-day delivery.”

Chloe reflects humorously on her own experience: “My TikTok algorithm, every other video is an ad for something that, you know what, I kind of do want! Growing up in this world, we’re programmed from such a young age to want things. It’s almost like religion has been replaced with consumerism and capitalism. If you get all of the best stuff, then you’ve done the best – like reaching heaven. The commandments you live by are ‘Buy now’ and all these catchy slogans that companies are marketing to you.”

‘Southern Youth’: A Heartfelt Ode to Home

Switching gears from political to personal, Chloe’s new single Southern Youth offers a bittersweet love letter to her hometown of Bournemouth. The track bubbles with longing and nostalgia, portraying the complex feelings of leaving home and the bittersweet growth that follows.

“I’ve been quite a hyper-independent person my whole life, but I always wanted to move away and live in a city and make my own life, but even people with that mindset sometimes miss their mum,” she laughs.

“I moved to the city and made this new, more confident and outgoing version of myself, but the true version of myself was that person in Bournemouth who was maybe a little bit shy, but a nice and good person.”

Full Circle Moments and Upcoming Tour

Earlier this year, Chloe returned to her roots with a show in the Southbourne suburb of Bournemouth, selling out a venue on the very high street she walked as a child. “It was really cool to have a queue of people outside. It was a really full-circle moment for me,” she shares.

Looking ahead, Chloe will embark on a headline UK, Ireland, and Europe tour starting November 3 in Southampton, with the biggest headline show of her career at London’s Scala on November 10.

“I’m so excited for Scala,” she beams. “My last London headline, which is my biggest one so far, was at the Garage, and that was an amazing experience. I just get this feeling of, ‘I can’t believe that everyone is there for me’… I don’t know if I’ll ever believe it. I’m really excited to play these new songs live — I think we’re really going to take it up a notch.”

Reflecting on her recent experience supporting artists like Role Model and Alessi Rose, Chloe hopes to foster that same deep connection with her own fans. “Watching Role Model’s fans sing every single word back to him and seeing him give it his all was really inspiring. I want to bring that kind of connection to my shows.”

Music and Meaning: Action Beyond the Stage

Chloe’s commitment to her message extends beyond music. The Riot Youth tour partners with Music Declares Emergency’s Plus 1 initiative, donating £1 from every ticket to support climate action.

Before a recent Brighton gig, she even led a beach cleanup with fans, a tangible example of backing up her powerful lyrics with real-world impact.

“I want everything to be about the music, but the message of the music is pretty political,” she explains. “I don’t feel obligated to do these things, but I think it’s nice that I’m in the position to have the opportunity to do them — to do a beach clean before I do a beach gig and have loads of people come. It’s such a nice way to build community, which is needed now more than ever.”

She continues, “To have a positive impact on the environment is great — it’s a cause that I really care about and I think is one of the most important things to care about. Everything is impacted by the environment and if we don’t work towards limiting climate change, then the impact on all humans and animals and ecosystems is awful.”

Tracklist for Riot Youth

• Mother Nature’s Killing Spree
• Can I Finish Please
• The Underground
• I’ve Never Felt So Hated
• Southern Youth
• Go Outside
• Get Me Out
• Helpless
• Ugly
• Let It Happen

Tickets for the Riot Youth headline tour will be available for pre-sale starting at 10am BST on June 17, with general sales opening on June 19. The tour will cover UK cities and major European locations through November and December, including shows in Southampton, Portsmouth, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Paris, Berlin, and Milan.

Wrapping Up: The Spirit of ‘Riot Youth’

“There’s just a certain lovely aspect to being young and not being knocked down in the way the world can knock people down that means you’re more likely to go out and fight for change.” — Chloe Slater

Chloe Slater’s Riot Youth is more than just an album — it’s a call to arms for the hopeful and restless spirit within young people today. With lyrics that mix sharp political insight and personal truth, Chloe invites us to feel that fiery energy when it seems like the world could truly change.

FAQ

• What is the core theme of Chloe Slater’s album Riot Youth?
  The album explores youth passion and activism, tackling political issues like climate change, capitalism, and societal challenges through personal and relatable songwriting.
• Who produced Riot Youth?
  The album was produced by Jack Shuter and Ash Workman, who has worked with Metronomy and Stealing Sheep.
• What inspired the title 'Riot Youth'?
  It represents the fearless, passionate spirit of youth who believe things can change, unburdened by repeated political disappointments.
• Does Chloe Slater engage in activism beyond her music?
  Yes, she partners with environmental initiatives like Music Declares Emergency and organizes community actions such as beach cleanups.
• When and where will Chloe Slater’s Riot Youth tour take place?
  The tour kicks off November 3 in Southampton and includes major UK and European cities, with a headline show at London’s Scala on November 10.

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