Cargo G Unleashes Powerful New Single "Chrome Heart" and Connects With Us to Reveal the Story Behind the Music
- STAFF
- Sep 3
- 8 min read
By: Staff
“Chrome Heart” is a breathtaking display of vulnerability, innovation, and musical mastery from Cargo G.
In the world of bold sonic experimentation, one artist is pushing the boundaries of musical storytelling like never before. Cargo G’s latest release, “Chrome Heart,” is nothing short of a revelation. A track that begins with haunting vulnerability and builds into a powerhouse of emotional complexity, it challenges traditional song structures while remaining intensely relatable. This track is more than music, it’s a journey through raw, unfiltered expression, leaving listeners captivated from the very first note.
We spoke with Cargo G to uncover the story behind this extraordinary song. From its unexpected shifts in tone to its artful balance of space and sound, “Chrome Heart” is as much an exploration of personal growth as it is a reflection of the artist’s evolving sound. The emotional depth and creative risks taken during the production process give the track a timeless quality, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within the genre.
In this in-depth conversation, Cargo G reveals the moments that led to the creation of the track, the studio environment that fostered its distinctive sound, and the journey from intimate expression to global storytelling. The vulnerability of the song invites listeners to interpret it through their own lens, adding layers of meaning to the already multifaceted composition.
Discover what inspired “Chrome Heart” and how Cargo G’s evolving artistry continues to break new ground. Don’t miss the full interview where we dive deeper into the mind behind the music.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Cargo G, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. The opening of “Chrome Heart” blew us away. Wasting no time, you come in calm but with such a powerful and commanding essence. We loved your vocal tone and incredible technical ability. Your lyrics were absolutely astounding and the production techniques were magical. When did you first realize the power of your voice and creative expression? What moment in your life transformed it from a personal, intimate expression to a tool for sharing your story with the world, ultimately laying the foundation for the impactful career we see today?
A. I grew up training in dance so I have always connected to music. As a teenager I dealt with quite a few injuries that led me to find other artistic outlets and singing was one of them. I think I’ve always felt the power of my voice in private and it is gradually starting to feel like something I can share with the world. With Chrome Heart, I realized that the intimacy I hold in my personal expression actually connects with others. Hearing someone respond to a lyric or a phrase in a way that mirrored their own experience made me see it as a way to tell stories that resonate beyond me. That’s when my music shifted from personal to a way to connect to others universally.
Q. What message do you want to express with "Chrome Heart"? How do you hope that resonates with fans?
A. I wanted to express that it’s okay to carry your baggage without having to neatly ‘heal’. I hope it resonates with listeners by giving them a space to feel seen in their own complexities—the tension between strength and vulnerability, resilience and emptiness. It’s music that embraces honesty without needing to fix everything. In the end - We are all just trying to figure out life and no one REALLY knows what they are doing and we need to be reminded that these complexities are okay.
Q. Can you tell us your full musical genre journey? Is this particular musical genre styling something you’ve always embraced from the very beginning of your journey, or has it evolved over time from influences or other genres you experimented with earlier?
A. As I briefly mentioned earlier, growing up dancing led me to musical theatre. That gave my voice a strong foundation while also making me more and more curious about how my voice could live outside of theatre.I always gravitated toward more intimate styles, experimenting with folk, R&B, and even some jazz phrasing. Each genre taught me something about storytelling and rhythm, but I found myself most at home in neo-soul and acoustic-driven music. That’s where I can balance raw honesty with groove, and it feels like the most authentic version of me today.
Q. Can you tell us how you landed on the title of "Chrome Heart"? Was it your first choice or did it evolve during the process? What does this title mean to you?
A. I didn’t know what I was going to call it for a long time. The track was actually ‘untitled’ in the making. I played the song for my mom and she immediately landed on “Chrome Heart”and I felt like she had captured the entire project in those words. Ultimately the song does positively resolve and “Chrome Heart” symbolizes that strength and softness can coexist.
Q. Since "Chrome Heart" speaks to a lot of emotional complexity. Does it ever feel difficult to reveal so much of yourself in such a comment- and judgment-driven world, or do you find it liberating to express that level of vulnerability through your music?
A. Recently, I've taken a lot of pride in the fact that my work is honest. I used to lean on the idea that the artist can be separate from the art, but more recently I’ve decided I'm not doing that- I'm just expressing myself and that's the point of the music.I rarely debate what I’m saying when I initially write lyrics, but as it gets closer to releasing- sometimes I second guess how my words might be conveyed. I think this is natural though, and kind of the point of being an artist…It can be humbling and awkward, but it's also grounding and worth the risk. I think my music is good because of the emotional vulnerability that I am willing to express. My music is rooted in story- telling and I can’t imagine making music that wasn't. I am a pretty reserved person in my day to day life, so it does feel interesting navigating it all.
Q. The song shifts dramatically between the first and second halves. Was this shift intentional from the beginning, or did it come about as a result of creative exploration during the recording process?
A. The shift came entirely through creative exploration. I didn't plan for the song to transform halfway through- it just evolved as I worked on it, and I let the music go where it wanted. The first half lays the emotional groundwork, and the second half opens up into a completely different space, almost like seeing the same feeling from another angle.
Q. During the recording of "Chrome Heart," you experimented with a lot of space and acapella moments. What did you feel these moments brought to the song that traditional instrumentation couldn’t?
A. I wanted to let the song exist in intimacy, so I knew a full- arrangement might have overcrowded the essence of the music. Stripping everything back to acapella or leaving room in between sounds allowed the emotion to land in a way traditional instrumentation sometimes can't do. Even when the vocals are a bit bold or harsh, the space lets those textures shine, giving certain lines more weight. The ending finale on the song completely drops the track, while just the harmonies close it out. Not only is this musically appealing to the ear, but it can highlight the idea that we all stand alone at the end of the day.
Q. How did the physical space of Third Coast Recording Company play a role in shaping the sound of the song? Were there any specific features or aspects of the studio that influenced how the track turned out?
A. Recording at Third Coast really shaped the sound. The live room has this warmth that gives the vocals and acoustic parts a natural depth. Working with John Allen Stephens—owner and producer, has really impacted the song. We kept adding elements over time to make the track feel full, and because he knows the space so well, every layer sat naturally. I remember when we created the siren elements at the end of the song, simply off a keyboard. Little details like these are what really amplified the song.
Q. There’s a vulnerability in "Chrome Heart" that seems to invite personal interpretation. How important was it for you to leave room for listeners to shape their own understanding of the song’s meaning?
A. I love that the song has room for interpretation. It feels timeless. It is specific but also vague enough to leave listeners with their own resolution. Even if the answers are unclear, it could perhaps just be a feeling that listeners are left with and I’m okay with that.
Q. With "Chrome Heart" breaking traditional song structures, did you face any challenges in making sure it still felt cohesive while pushing boundaries? How did you approach that challenge creatively?
A. I did worry breaking traditional structuring might hurt the engagement of the song, but we came to the conclusion that the verse was intriguing enough to carry the listener through. That intimacy created a thread of connection, so even while the structure was less conventional, it still felt cohesive.
Q. You’ve said that the first half of the song was written before the finale was fully envisioned. Can you describe how the creative process unfolded during that phase of uncertainty, and what ultimately guided you to the unexpected ending?
A. This was the first song I didn't finish writing in one sitting and I knew that I just had no idea what it was going to be. That gave me anxiety, but I trusted that it would come to me.
Q. Since "Chrome Heart" is such an emotional journey, was there a specific event, period, or feeling in your life that inspired this release?
A. I wanted to explore the idea that you don’t always have to ‘heal’ or be at peace with something to move forward from it. You can recognize hurt and still move on. The space between carrying a weight and choosing to move forward is really what the song lives in. I think everyone can relate to that feeling on some level.
Q. As you continue to evolve as an artist, how do you think your sound has changed from your earlier work to now? Is there a particular milestone or breakthrough moment that defined this shift for you?
A. The breakthrough came when I realized I didn’t have to fit into any one genre to be authentic. With Chrome Heart, I feel like I finally found a way to blend vulnerability, groove, and storytelling in a way that truly represents me as an artist. There was definitely a point I was confused about what genre I was dabbling in or how to present myself because people have said I need to be specific. I still continue to challenge myself to not think too much about what I am creating and just do it because it comes to me and I like it.
Q. Can you tell us the backstory of how you chose the name Cargo G?
A. Naming yourself as an artist can be challenging! Settling on Cargo G was a process. The word “cargo” has several meanings, and I really liked the idea of having baggage. And of course, a “G” on the end to keep an initial included.
Q. Cargo G, we can’t thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! Looking forward, what are some of the themes, sounds, or concepts you’re excited to explore next in your music?
A. Just like “Chrome heart” and my debut EP “Pressure”, my next project explores themes of time, distance, and the impact of loneliness. This is just the beginning for me. All of the music will continue to be authentic, and I am very excited to keep sharing my art. Thank you so much for the oppurtunity to share my work, I deeply appreciate it.
Cargo G, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Cargo G’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
