Let’s set the scene: it’s 2004, and you’re watching an episode of The Hills. Lauren Conrad is breaking up with Jason Wahler for the fifth time, this time on the patio of an outdoor bistro. The sun is setting; the ocean is a picturesque backdrop. LC is crying hysterically (why? Jason was trash). Jason, emotionless, stands up and walks away. The camera zooms in on LC’s tortured, tear-streaked face as the waves crash dramatically in the background.

Just then, the perfect coastal heartbreak song begins to play. Though the scene is set in 2004, the track is Chasing, Dan Napper‘s 2025 debut single.

Dan reached out to me on Instagram in early February. He told me he had come across some of my John Mayer music reviews and, as a fellow Mayer fan, loved reading them. He asked if I’d like to listen to and write a review for his debut song. I was pleasantly shocked and incredibly honoured; being invited to be part of Dan’s journey as an up-and-coming artist felt special. So, of course, I said yes!

When Dan first sent Chasing to me, it was 6 AM in Sydney. I had just woken up in my writing room, the sun barely peeking over the horizon. Birds were chirping outside, and as the soft melodies of his guitar poured through my speakers, the moment felt almost cinematic. It was the perfect accompaniment, not just for an LC-level breakup scene but also for a tranquil Saturday sunrise.

Dan Napper is a 20-year-old indie singer-songwriter from the UK. He’s been singing and playing music for years, and he’s leaping into the spotlight this year, with his debut album currently in the works. His style is self-described as a mix of pop, blues, and soft rock, and I agree. There’s a raw vulnerability in his sound that resonates deeply. 

Dan sounds like the best mix of 2000s rock/pop stars like Yellowcard and Ryan Cabrera and, of course, a bit of Mayer’s rock/blues soul. Dan also provides the backing vocals on Chasing, which are stunningly ethereal.

It is not just Dan’s voice that stands out throughout the song; his lyrics are equally beautiful and emotive. You can hear the pain in his voice as he sings lines like “Messed up my only chance / Lost in search for you / Seems I’m out of luck / Now I’m jaded.” But even in the melancholy, a thread of hope is woven throughout the track.

Sam Durkin provides crisp production, giving the song a polished feel you’d expect to hear on any radio station. Meanwhile, featured musicians Thomas Pierre Proudlock (Bass guitar), George Robertson (drums), and Milo Kent (keyboards) amplify the sound, creating a lush, symphonic sound.

You can tell from Chasing that Dan’s raw talent is undeniable. From the first listen, I had that thrilling sense of witnessing someone on the cusp of something huge. It’s one of those songs that makes you pause, feel, and reflect.

I am lucky to be part of Dan’s journey and to witness the beginning of what I believe will be a remarkable career. Chasing is a gorgeous, heart-wrenching track, and I’m eager for the world to hear it; trust me, you’ll want to add it to your “heartbreak” or “coastal chill” playlist immediately.

You can stream Dan Napper’s Chasing on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube Music, and wherever you get your music.

You can also follow Dan on Instagram, Facebook, and his website if you want to follow along on what’s bound to be an exciting journey; we can all say, “We knew him when!”