LOS ANGELES, CA- Chet Faker… the musical alter ego of Nick Murphy… has always thrived on unpredictability. When I read the press release for his latest single, “Inefficient Love,” the two words that jumped out were restless creativity. Honestly, I can’t think of a more fitting description for him, no matter what name he’s releasing music under.
I remember catching him back in 2014 at the Roxy. That night was soaked in dark-wave, electronic vibes, a moody undercurrent that pulled the crowd in. But in the same era, you could hop on YouTube and stumble across Murphy at a piano, playing Jeff Buckley’s “I Want You So Badly” with aching vulnerability. Even then, it was obvious he had range… not just as a performer but as a songwriter willing to chase different moods and textures.
That’s the challenge of following Chet Faker: he’s never content to stay still. He sheds sounds and monikers like skin. One moment he’s Nick Murphy, the next he’s back to Chet Faker, and with every shift comes a different sonic palette. It can be hard to keep up, but if there’s one throughline, it’s quality. To be a fan of Chet Faker, you just need to be a fan of good music.
“Inefficient Love” is a prime example. It’s a tender, acoustic ballad with a folksy core… far removed from the electronic energy he was cultivating at the Roxy. Built on simple guitar strums and layered vocals, the track strips everything down to raw emotion. Murphy sings, “Love me till the end of time / Pick apart my peace of mind / Feels like running overtime / Won’t someone come and change my mind.” It’s a plea that feels both universal and deeply personal.
What’s striking is how well this bare-bones sound suits him. His voice sits naturally in that intimate space, carrying both fragility and warmth. Paired with his recent single “Far Side of the Moon”… which, in my humble opinion, leans into a David Gray-like simplicit… it hints that his next project may embrace stripped-back arrangements over the electronic gloss of his earlier records.
Wherever he goes next, it’s worth keeping an eye on. Because if “Inefficient Love” proves anything, it’s that Murphy’s gift isn’t tied to a genre or a name. It’s in his ability to reinvent himself without losing the sincerity at the heart of his songs. For fans like me, the lesson is simple: don’t sleep on Chet Faker.
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