B-Side Guys

Certain songs possess the uncanny ability to transform despair into something close to redemption without denying pain’s reality. Flat Pop’s latest single “Chase Doves” belongs firmly in this category—a shimmering example of how slacker rock aesthetics can deliver genuine emotional catharsis beneath seemingly casual musical approaches.

Citing influences like Mac DeMarco and eyedness, Flat Pop crafts a soundscape that honors lo-fi indie traditions while adding distinct atmospheric flourishes. The production creates deliberate tension between polish and roughness—clean guitar melodies drift over slightly fuzzy rhythm sections, while vocals maintain a dreamy distance that suggests emotional processing rather than immediate reaction. This sonic approach perfectly complements the song’s thematic exploration of embracing pain rather than escaping it.

Lyrically, “Chase Doves” explores stagnation with remarkable empathy. The recurring image of staying in bed while the outside world changes establishes both literal and metaphorical containment—self-imposed isolation becoming both protection and prison. The central phrase “your pain should be embraced” functions not as hollow encouragement but as genuine prescription, suggesting that acknowledgment precedes transformation.

The dove imagery in the title and chorus offers multiple interpretative possibilities. Traditionally symbols of peace, doves here become active targets—something to be pursued rather than passively received. This framing transforms peace from static state to dynamic pursuit, suggesting that emotional well-being requires active engagement rather than passive acceptance. The imperative “go chase doves” thus becomes invitation to purposeful action after prolonged inertia.

The song’s most powerful moments emerge when directly addressing paralysis. Lines describing “the ballet of pointless ass days” capture the strange choreography of depression—movements that feel simultaneously purposeful and meaningless. Similarly, the observation that “while friends start to fade/when stars gift you change” acknowledges how opportunity often arrives precisely when social support diminishes, creating painful irony in timing.

What distinguishes “Chase Doves” from countless other indie tracks exploring similar emotional territory is its refusal to glamorize suffering while still acknowledging its significance. There’s no romanticization of despair here—just recognition of its weight and potential transformation. This balance creates music that feels simultaneously comforting and challenging, providing space for emotional recognition while gently encouraging movement beyond current limitations.

Perfect for contemplative spring playlists, “Chase Doves” demonstrates Flat Pop’s ability to craft music that functions both as sonic pleasure and emotional process—a balance that honors their influences while establishing distinct artistic identity. In transforming personal despair into communal empowerment, they’ve created something both timely and timeless.