Album Review: CHAI – CHAI

Whimsical Japanese-English hyper pop

Japan-based female quartet CHAI presents their self-titled fourth studio album CHAI that blends hyper pop with elements of electronica to instill an inspiring, upbeat sentiment in its listeners. The 30 minute album tackles largely lighthearted themes that showcase the group’s harmonizing ability and creates a whimsical piece.

CHAI employs its hyper pop style to address elements of carefreeness in many of its songs. Most evident in “From 1992” and “PARA PARA,” CHAI seamlessly blends Japanese and English lyrics to create an easygoing atmosphere throughout CHAI. Though the free spirited nature of the group is apparent in the playful nature of many of the pieces on the album, CHAI does not stray away from approaching more serious tones in other songs. Namely ideas of female empowerment, especially in a patriarchal society, appear in “We The Female!” and “NEO KAWAII, K?” CHAI cleverly uses its girl band appearance to its advantage– touching on the issues of living in such a society in a somewhat whimsical manner. Elements adverse to optimism and cheerfulness also appear as confusion and emotional uncertainty in “I Can’t Organizeeee” and “Driving 22,” that present more upbeat tunes alluding to the unpredictable nature of emotions.

CHAI allows CHAI to stay consistent with their genre’s theme throughout the entirety of the album. Though the hyper pop style of CHAI clearly appears, elements of electronica– most evident in “GAME” and “PARA PARA” – allow CHAI to add nuance to their otherwise predictable pop style. The introduction of synth and electronics keep the audience engaged to the ongoing playful nature of the album. “LIKE, I NEED” also sees electronica employed in a slower fashion, displaying CHAI’s ability to experiment with different tempos to enhance their hyper pop style.

The blending of Japanese and English throughout CHAI, along with their signature style, create an air of childlike wonder in the album. Though CHAI pivots from carefree lyrics to hard-hits tackling female empowerment, its employment of hyper pop to communicate these themes instills a whimsical, youthful optimism throughout the piece. This sense that often dissipates as adulthood approaches is most evident in CHAI’s opening and closing anthems, “MATCHA” and “KARAOKE,” respectively. The group executes a stellar ability to harmonize on higher notes while pivoting between languages; this blending of Japanese and English lyrics creates a childlike air to an otherwise standard pop album. 

While the themes in the album are largely laid-back, CHAI does not sway from approaching issues of female empowerment and self confidence. CHAI sees CHAI dabble in electronica while staying true to their hyper pop roots in a lighthearted fashion.