Falling in love with pop-punk was easy for Jacob Collins. Taking that love and turning it into his own debut album would take some time.
Releasing music under the moniker Chapter 33 has been years in the making. Blending pop-punk urgency, alternative rock grit and classic melodic influences into 12 songs exploring relationships, accountability, purpose and bettering one’s self was something he took seriously. What started as a collection of demos became a journey of personal growth.
The youthful energy of pop-punk mainstays such as Green Day and Blink-182 was something Collins was determined to capture. He idolized the way they could balance an album with humor, such as “Platypus (I Hate You)” or “Family Reunion”, and sentiment, such as “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” or “Adam’s Song”. The contrast made each emotion even more powerful.
He also wanted to capture the attention to detail and willingness to experiment that he admired from The Beatles. They showed him that he could be meticulous with the creative process while writing songs that felt effortless and enjoyable.
“That intersection between playful, carefree pop-punk and carefully crafted songwriting is really what I was chasing throughout this album,” he said.
Recording over several years gave him the room to grow as a lyricist. He found that most of his lyrics came from observing people in his life: acquaintances, friends, loved ones. He would pay attention to the choices they made, the way they treated others or the obstacles they faced. Those observations made for a kind of storytelling that could be applicable to a broader audience.
“Even when a song isn’t directly about me, there’s usually a real experience or person behind it,” Collins said. “I like writing in a way that lets listeners relate the lyrics to their own lives rather than spelling everything out. I think that’s what makes music so powerful - everyone can hear the same song and take away something different from it.”
By taking the time to perfect this album, he recognized the importance of keeping a fresh perspective. It was important to him that each track had its own identity. Whether that be the melody, chord progression, energy or overall feel, he spent the creation process making sure no two songs sounded the same. He did not want the album to become predictable.
He also wasn’t afraid to step back from a song and return to it later with fresh ears. Taking a break gave him the opportunity to notice things he may have missed had he pushed himself to keep going in that moment. Giving himself - and the song - a moment to breathe made all the difference.
“At the end of the day, my goal was to make an album that kept listeners engaged from beginning to end, where every song brought something new while still feeling like it belonged on the same record,” he said.
Alongside producer Mitchi Dimitriadis, they built each song layer by layer. They almost didn’t know how to stop adding layers, but discovered that trusting their instincts usually led to a finished product that they were both proud of. Holding the first physical copy of the album was a surreal experience.
He has learned an unbelievable amount while creating this album. For starters, he learned just how capable he was. If anyone had told him a few years ago that he would be writing and recording a full-length album, as well as performing those songs on stage, he wouldn’t have been able to even imagine it.
“Making this album taught me that if I truly set my mind, heart and soul to something and stay consistent, I can achieve things that once felt impossible,” he said. “The whole experience gave me a lot more confidence in myself and reminded me that growth comes from taking that first step, even when you’re full of doubt.”
He also learned that vulnerability was one of the most powerful tools a songwriter could have. He wanted to write lyrics that were honest and personal enough for listeners to see parts of themselves in them. Walking away from this album feeling understood or inspired was the ultimate goal.
“I hope this album encourages others to believe in themselves the same way this journey taught me to believe in myself,” he said. “I’ve always believed that music can tell the truth in a way that everyday conversation sometimes can’t.”
