CHAI - PUNK
Critic Score
Based on 15 reviews
2019 Ratings: #64 / 805
User Score
Based on 489 ratings
2019 Rank: #584
Liked by 15 people
February 13, 2019 / Release Date
LP / Format
Burger / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
Dork

It’s chaotic, it’s noisy, it’s brilliant.

90
The Line of Best Fit

It’s a heady, dazzling blend of pop, punk, dance, funk and electronica, moulded into a swirl of kaleidoscopic energy.

90
Exclaim!

Those new to the band are in for a real treat ... Punk is a huge step forward for CHAI, and easily one of the best albums of the year.

85
The 405

Punk as pop or pop as punk, CHAI blend their influences and ideas together so well it hardly matters. Bursting with fun, expanded musicianship, and boundless energy, this is one sophomore record that couldn’t exist more in the now.

83
Pitchfork

PUNK is a record written in earnest about being yourself, loving your friends, and not caring about what anyone else thinks about the way you live your life.

80
AllMusic

Even though Punk might not be the pop explosion that Pink was, it's a well-rounded album that capitalizes on the band's imagination and capacity for experimentation while blending the sounds more organically.

80
DIY

‘PUNK’ is an infectiously fun rollercoaster that delves into themes of self-acceptance and confidence, filled with anthems about how you should celebrate your own uniqueness.

80
The Skinny

Confidently taking on everything from rave rock to rose-tinted tropic-pop and with former singles trashing tired beauty tropes, CHAI tackle our stereos – and societal stereotypes – head on.

80
The Guardian

Mostly, their juxtaposition of heft and nimble weirdness is an exhilarating delight.

80
God Is in the TV

Loud, hook-laden bubblegum pop with a defiant message of individuality and independence. From Japan. What’s not to love?

80
Spectrum Culture

By the time it comes to a close, Punk prepares you to step out into the world with a newfound perspective, not just on yourself but also on an act such as Chai.

70
Loud and Quiet

It’s true that CHAI’s ultra-pop framework may not, at first, scream rebellion or rage. However, cutting lyricism makes it unquestionably clear that for the members of CHAI – Mana, Yuna, Kana and Yuuki – enough is enough.

70
Northern Transmissions

‘PUNK’ sonically is what would happen if Sleigh Bells decamped to Japan, dialled down the corrosive riffs, ramped up the toytown electronics and spliced in 8 bit video game noises to kids’ TV theme tunes.

BuffaloStaple
43

bro fuck this

musicmagpie55
79

There is a point about halfway through, 'Choose Go!' where I thought they were saying "James Gandolfini" over and over again and now I can't unhear that.

CHAI is a friendly reminder of how fun pop-punk can be. The girls are bursting with energy, and every song has a sticky sweet hook. I think the title references the girls disrupting the 'cute' stereotype that is associated with Japanese women. CHAI doesn't fully reject these tropes but radicalizes them as part of their identity. ... read more

PipePanic
75

To quote @simonemarz , 'girl i don't know what the fuck they're saying but i am living'.
I had the biggest goofball smile on my face listening to this album. This album is fun on toast. I honestly don't see what all the hate is about. From the bright vocals to the loud, distorted filled instrumentation, to the excellent rhythm section, this album is a dose of energy and sugar filled fun that has been sorely missed in pop punk for the last couple of years. It's a big, positive hug with some kick ... read more

RealZzzz
85

These fuckers are actually zany. I dig this, the weird sampling, effects goofy nature of half the songs, the energy, just the absolute weirdness of it all is fascinating. I adore their energy, they actually sound so fuckin fun to be around, I've seen like one interview with them and they're so energetic n shit its lovely. Weird how different every other song is, some sound a lot more traditional than others, its hard to grasp but at the same time not. I like how absurdly loud the songs can get, ... read more

Kitri
71

Not simply an amalgamation of cuteness and punchy rhythms. CHAI is super secure and succinct, getting to the point of their melodies and doing so with blazing instrumentation. They're not quirky robots, but musicians having genuine fun with their topics and weirdness. These obtusely ticklish rhythms, changing sense of mood, and this love of individuality is absolutely touching. A dreamland filled with combustible heart and eager talent.

Love its coinciding melodies and swooping, gravelly ... read more

BRGYSEK45
60

Pretty decent CHAI project, which even though it has some awesome tracks, it can get pretty annoying or borderline boring.

fav tracks: カーリー・アドベンチャー, This Is CHAI, Great Job
least fav track: フューチャー
rating: light 6

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Added on: January 28, 2019