The Japanese quartet and advocates of NEO-Kawaii CHAI release a new single, the self-championing “Ready Cheeky Pretty,” and an accompanying video. Following the recently-released “NO MORE CAKE,” “a weird, bafflingly catchy interrogation of beauty standards” (Stereogum), “Ready Cheeky Pretty” promotes self-love and finding motivation and confidence from within. Over jubilant synth and a steady snare, CHAI sing: “we are the upbeat cheeky monkeys ! // look up the mirror // oh! It’s pretty monkey! // we are good already // keep it real.” The band elaborates on the track: “KEEP IT REAL Go back to the real you! It’s all about moving forward and living by instinct! To go forward with the voice of your heart! Nothing symbolizes this more for us than the carefree nature, strength, and purity of a monkey. We pay homage to this in Ready Cheeky Pretty because we feel that animals have the ability to be REAL more than humans. It’s this type of song! Take a listen!
Its accompanying video, co-directed by Hideto Hotta and by bassist YUUKI, is largely made of colorful, animated drawings (all illustrated by YUUKI). It also features famous paintings and video clips and images of the band intertwined throughout. It was shot entirely at YUUKI’s home and is centered in a world where CHAI is getting back to their real selves. As YUUKI describes, “it isn’t so much about shooting CHAI with a specific vision like any other MV, but more so about ‘putting CHAI into’ a vision that WE have.”
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “READY CHEEKY PRETTY”
https://youtu.be/zuiIplaXsUc
Throughout quarantine, the band has started live streaming three times a week – YUNA on Monday’s, YUUKI on Wednesday’s, and MANA and KANA on Friday’s. These livestreams can be viewed on the band’s Instagram at 11pm ET / 8pm PT. Yuna has also created her own Youtube / IGTV series called “HELLO, I’M YUNA!,” which covers all of YUNA’s interests from interviewing her fellow band members, to cooking, to giving an inside look at song and music video releases. Her “journalist alter-ego,” YUNA-jana, is featured as the main interviewer. It’s adorable and we suggest you tune in.
Additionally, CHAI has covered Kyu Sakamoto’s “Ue o Muite Arukō” or “Sukiyaki Song,” the unofficial anthem of Japan that is often sung to uplift during hard times. The lyrics “Ue o Muite Arukō” translate to “I Look Up As I Walk” and tells the story of a man who looks up and whistles while he is walking to avoid his tears from falling down. Everyone has been affected in different ways by COVID-19, some more than others. CHAI made this video using only what they could find within their homes to bring positivity, fun, and keep the music going.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “SUKIYAKI SONG”
https://youtu.be/_tQLnrE552Y
Keep your mind open.
[Hop like a monkey over to the subscription box while you’re here.]
[Thanks to Jaycee at Pitch Perfect PR.]