CHAI have been spreading their playful model of disco meets punk since they launched their debut ‘Pink’ again in 2017. They stored that frenetic momentum going with 2019’s ’Punk’, simply earlier than taking a fast flip from their rock propensities, leaning into comfy pop on 2021’s ‘Wink’. Now, with their fourth album and second on Sub Pop, the Japanese foursome return to their roots, with lead vocalist Mana sharing within the album bio that “every thing mirrored within the lyrics expresses our expertise as Japanese girls”. The self-titled LP is tied tightly to the band’s adopted battle cry, the phrase “Neo Kawaii” they usually scream into the mic to the delight of followers at exhibits, a phrase they see as a rallying cry towards oppressive societally prescribed magnificence requirements not solely in Japan however throughout the globe.
The band’s newest providing is an intentional ode to metropolis pop, a Tokyo-born style from the ’70s and ’80s which mixes jazz, boogie, yacht rock and funk, all with the purpose of digging into their heritage and id filtered via a Western sonic lens. The consequence isn’t in any respect dated go, because the quartet enjoy trendy beats, swirling soulful ’90s preparations underneath lyrics they affiliate with nostalgia. Opening monitor ‘Matcha’ does this properly, as they harmonize over wide-spanning bridges, evaluating the meditative course of of constructing the green-hued tea to their very own need to grasp themselves higher.
Within the album’s lead single, ‘Para Para’ the band once more pay homage to Japan, this time with a monitor concerning the fashionable two-step dance that took over Japan within the ’90s. The funky, brisk monitor drills in on having a superb time, with CHAI displaying off R&B registers as they beckon listeners to “occasion into the night time”. The groove-heavy monitor embodies the general ethos of the album properly, a message of optimism that’s additionally current within the band’s monitor ‘Recreation’. Within the new wave monitor, the band sings over synth keys and trickling percussion, all with the purpose of urging listeners to maneuver ahead in life with pleasure and keenness, winking, “you haven’t seen the most effective of me but” earlier than a cool instrumental break.
CHAI doesn’t simply reside previously. Within the effervescent, ‘Driving22’, the place the band slows down their tempo over glittery synth keys, they sing about driving round overseas cities on tour, singing lovingly about imperfect sing-alongs and followers from around the globe. Even after they sing instantly about touring or dance strikes, the true message of the album, one in every of arriving at your vacation spot it doesn’t matter what, shines via. With little allegiance to at least one specific sound, expansive love for his or her heritage and daring statements in every monitor, ‘Chai’ is a shiny declaration from a band forging their very own sonic path ahead all whereas acknowledging the place they got here from.
Particulars
- Launch date: September 22, 2023
- Document label: Sub Pop
