After a two-year hiatus spent conquering the legal world, Melbourne’s TRYHARD storms back into music with “Chest Pains”, a pulsating dance-pop anthem that transforms romantic self-destruction into club-ready euphoria. This intoxicating single – the first taste of his upcoming Sequel EP – proves the artist hasn’t lost his knack for wrapping raw vulnerability in shimmering production, emerging from his break with sharper hooks and bolder confessionals than ever.
From its opening moments, “Chest Pains” immerses listeners in TRYHARD’s world of desire. A throbbing bassline mirrors racing heartbeats, while ghostly synths swirl like last-call regrets in an empty nightclub. The artist’s signature blend of emotional depth and dancefloor energy shines brightest in the chorus – a cathartic release where he admits “Damn I love these chest pains” with equal parts defiance and desperation. It’s a perfect musical metaphor for toxic attraction, blending MEDUZA’s neon-lit production with RÜFÜS DU SOL’s introspective lyricism.
TRYHARD’s legal studies appear to have honed his songwriting precision rather than dulled his pop instincts. His lyrics cut deeper than typical dance fare (“I’m in the driver’s seat with no brakes”), delivered with the smirking self-awareness of someone who knows they’re making bad decisions but can’t resist the thrill. The track builds to a progressive house crescendo that feels like the musical equivalent of giving in to temptation – all dizzying highs and inevitable crashes.
With “Chest Pains”, TRYHARD doesn’t just return to music – he reclaims his place as one of Australia’s most exciting pop disruptors. This is dance music with teeth, marking the arrival of a more dangerous, emotionally complex chapter for the artist. If this single is any indication, Sequel might just be 2025’s most thrilling pop debut.
