Electronic press kit

"...perfect for fans of Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa." - chorus.fm

"Pop-perfect" - Notion

“Vast pop hooks and the gravelly, commanding vocal of Hope take the lead…” - Wonderland Magazine

"...a journey of love, intoxicating highs and heartbreaking lows" - Cleveland Magazine

"It’s right there in her name: Chayla Hope is all about hope." - INTO

"Hope’s vocals are impressive showing early restraint but knowing exactly when to let it go... an intriguing allure with a touch of Lady Gaga subversiveness." - Instinct Magazine

"...big, passionate voice and charismatic presence" - Cool Cleveland

“The record, featuring various flavors of pop, is a big move by Hope – one that sees the vocalist taking center stage.” - Cleveland.com

"We can’t get over how much we love Chayla’s voice." - The Honey Pop

"...a triumphant funk pop tribute to the New Jack Swing era" - Music Is My Life

“Let’s face it: there are a lot of tepid vocalists today who hide behind studio gimmicks. But that’s not the case with Chayla Hope, whose voice has incredible power and precision at the same time.” - Two Story Melody

"...this work of art will definitely be one that hits the hearts of many pop lovers. With the right amount of attitude and nice melodic hooks, it's an instant hit." - Popmuzik

"[Chayla Hope] lets her inner star absolutely glow." - Death or Desire

Bio

Chayla Hope’s music is a distillation of what makes pop such a potent force. At times, pop music can feel cold, anonymous and one-dimensional, but Chayla is a diligent student of pop, showcasing its sonic versatility, raw power and ability to be a refuge for marginalized communities.

Chayla’s debut album, Damn, Feelings, was released in 2022, and its sparkly euphoria conjures images of everything from ‘80s arcades and present-day queer clubs to golden hour convertible rides and marathon dive bar karaoke sessions with friends you’d kill for. Lead single “Love in Lo-Fi” recalls the bubbly, communal synth-pop of MUNA and was featured in Love Island Games, “Long Way” channels the golden age of ‘00s, R&B-infused radio pop and “Tear My Heart Out” harkens back to the vibrant pulse of indietronica. You’ll also hear the ‘80s synths and funky rhythms of New jack swing as well as the bold production and teary-eyed joy of 2010s dance-pop, but the common denominator is always Chayla’s rousing vocals, alternating between cool and collected pop anthems, naked balladry and low, raspy fireworks.

For all of its neon-colored, sequin-emblazoned bliss, Damn, Feelings is an examination of one’s insecurities, as Chayla explores themes of loneliness and fear of abandonment, resulting in a vulnerable, multi-dimensional self-portrait. Its romantic yearning and empowering lyrics about seedy partners are an exhilarating listen, but Chayla knows despair can be just as powerful a topic, if not more so, when it comes to invigorating dancefloor fillers.

As a queer person and former drag performer, Chayla is fully invested in pop’s ability to provide freedom and acceptance, even if only for a moment. She remembers the first time a drag queen performed one of her songs, which marked an epiphany of just how powerful her music could be. Community is everything for Chayla, as she’s played in countless bands around Cleveland, worked in its beloved vinyl pressing plant Gotta Groove Records, where she’s since pressed her own releases, and even collaborated with Saucy Brew Works on a Damn, Feelings-themed IPA.

Before her solo work, Chayla cut her teeth singing in bands that spanned several genres, from Celtic metal and screamo to pop-punk and alternative rock, most notably with string-laden local favorites Seafair, but increasingly, friends encouraged her to front her own project. She eventually built up the confidence to go her own way after an offer to record the theme song for the animated TV series Care Bears: Unlock The Magic, which also pushed her towards the ‘80s synth-pop sound she adores.

Chayla’s been singing for as long as she can remember. Not only did she sing as a toddler, there’s also footage of a young Chayla jumping off a guitar amp and pointing at the camera like a rock star as she belted the words to “Wild Thing.” Her mother frequently blared the over-the-top hits of Celine Dion around the house, which informed her love of dramatic vocals, and she also found inspiration in the fearless, outside-the-box theatricality of Annie Lennox as well as Robyn’s artful fusion of melancholia and elation.

In June 2023, Chayla celebrated the release of the 12-inch vinyl edition of Damn, Feelings for Wax Mage Records with a headlining show at the Beachland Ballroom. Returning to Gotta Groove Records to press a handful of the eight variants of the album herself, the collaboration is an artistic homecoming that represents the first time a Wax Mage Records release is available nationally at indie record stores. The digital deluxe version of Damn, Feelings also arrived in June, featuring remixes from friends and collaborators Holy Mattress Money and Initial Talk—a Tokyo-based producer whose remixes of artists like Dua Lipa and Perfume Genius have garnered millions of streams—as well as string-accompanied performances of singles “Love in Lo-Fi,” “High,” the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin” and new song “Remember Me” filmed and recorded with OPUS 216 in Gartner Auditorium at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

The rollout for Chayla’s sophomore album, Mess Of A Woman, began with the release of single “BFM” and Tripped Up Roast collaboration with Lekko Coffee, continuing throughout 2024 with a string of single releases, opening slots for Cannons and Dorian Electra, a headlining show at the Agora with Cleveland’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra, and an eclectic series of remixes and reworks featuring Floating Action, Magic AL, a kid named rufus, Marottes, Sound On Tape, and Wayless.

Released on February 21, 2025, Mess Of A Woman sees Chayla taking full creative control, stepping into her own as a producer, songwriter, and artist. A striking evolution from her debut Damn, Feelings, the album is a fearless embrace of self—flawed, complex, and unapologetically authentic. “The title Mess Of A Woman comes from a hate comment I got online: ‘What a voice, what a tattooed mess of a woman,’” says Hope. “Instead of shrinking from it, I decided to own it. This album is me embracing every piece of who I am—producer, songwriter, artist, human—and turning it into something powerful.”

Demoed largely at home before being refined in the studio with trusted collaborator and co-producer Nate Saggio, Mess Of A Woman is Chayla’s most immersive and sonically ambitious work yet. Mixed and mastered in Dolby Atmos by Andrew Law at Amazon Music’s Studio126, the album transforms past wounds into anthems of resilience, using synth-pop as a canvas to empower and heal Chayla’s inner child.

To celebrate the release, Chayla again teamed up with Saucy Brew Works for a limited-edition Mess Of A Woman imperial IPA and returned to Gotta Groove Records to press custom vinyl variants with Wax Mage Records. Further expanding the world of Mess Of A Woman beyond music, Chayla also teamed up with artist Emily Mistica to create a graphic novel of the same name, printed by Outlandish Press. Inspired by the album’s lyrics, the book serves as both a companion piece and a visual extension of Hope’s artistic vision.

Following the release, Chayla plans to up the pop star ante even more with eye-popping sets, elaborate handmade clothing and other weird and wonderful surprises.