Cleveland-based powerhouse Chayla Hope has unveiled “High,” the latest single from the vinyl-presser-turned-pop-star’s debut record Damn, Feelings, due out October 28th. A transporting, synth-pop, fever dream marked by crisp dance production, disco guitar, and Hope’s unfailing flair for vocal dramatics, the song details the desire to escape and rise above a toxic relationship. “It’s about being so done with a situation that you will do anything in your power to not feel the emotional pain,” she says. “There’s an empowering message to it too: ‘if you’re going to let me down, I’m going to get high’ and rise above it.”

For the release of “High,” Hope has partnered with Shway Papers to create Chayla Hope-branded rolling papers (available for purchase HERE). Shway Papers was founded in 2020 during the pandemic as a creative outlet for Cleveland artist and musician MellowMan Funk. With its high-quality smoke experience and eye-catching variety of artwork on the booklets designed by Mellow himself, Shway has become a movement and a way of life as the company is collaborating with many different brands and getting retail placement. Now that things have opened up more, Shway is throwing events and pop-ups, staying in tune with the art and music culture from which it was born.   

A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community who found her performance identity doing drag, it’s no surprise Chayla was selected to sing the theme song for Care Bears: Unlock The Magic and has numerous features in the show’s soundtrack and merchandise, embodying its core themes of empowerment, inclusion, and self-understanding through her music.

Photo Courtesy: Lindsey Poyar