Australian-born, New York-based artist Corban Chapple makes a striking entrance with his debut EP Maybe We’ll Make It, a five song alt R&B soaked thrill. Having spent years behind the boards as a producer, Chapple steps into the foreground with confidence, delivering a self-written and self-produced record that seamlessly blends alternative R&B, soul, hip-hop, pop, and jazz into a cohesive and emotionally resonant musical collection.
Structured as a narrative concept, complete with a prologue, three acts, and an epilogue, the EP traces Chapple’s early experiences after relocating to New York City. Maybe We’ll Make It wrestles with homesickness, intimacy, jealousy, and personal instability, ultimately arriving at a quiet but powerful thesis: acceptance in the face of uncertainty.
Opening standout “Greener” sets the tone with poetic precision. Built around an extended gardening metaphor, the track explores post-breakup jealousy and masculinity with a subtlety that avoids cliché. Chapple’s songwriting shines here, as his seductive vocals glide over every note.
“Let’s Not Talk About It,” one of the EP’s early singles, captures the emotional tension of undefined relationships with remarkable restraint. The single is funky, soulful and sing-a-long worthy. It’s an anthem for avoidance, where what’s left unsaid carries as much weight as the lyrics themselves. That sense of emotional nuance continues on “Braid,” a slow-burning, layered track that uses its central metaphor to explore intimacy in a way that feels both playful and deeply intentional.
“Porcelain,” featuring August Igor Egholm, marks a shift in perspective. The dual vocal approach adds texture to the EP’s thematic core, examining fragility, machismo, and self-sabotage from multiple angles. The interplay between Chapple’s melodic sensibility and Igor’s rap verse introduces a dynamic contrast that elevates the track beyond a standard collaboration.
The title track, “Maybe We’ll Make It,” is all about acceptance and living in the moment. It’s a fitting conclusion to a project rooted in emotional complexity. The song highlights the warmth of neo-soul, the rhythmic sensibilities of hip-hop, and the harmonic depth of jazz.
Perhaps most impressive is the level of autonomy behind the project. Chapple handles nearly every aspect of the EP, writing, production, performance, and engineering, demonstrating not only technical proficiency but a deeply personal artistic vision.
For a debut, Maybe We’ll Make It is remarkably assured. It positions Corban Chapple as an artist on the rise!
Connect with Corban Chapple: INSTAGRAM
