CHAI two-step into the ’90s on new song “Para Para”

Japanese band CHAI have announced details of a new, self-titled album. CHAI will be released on September 22 via Sub Pop. Today’s announcement arrives alongside a new song from the record and details of a headlining North American tour. Scroll down to hear “PARA PARA” now.

CHAI is the follow-up to 2021’s WINK. Press materials note that the album finds the band drawing on their Japanese roots with many of the song titles taken from words they most assosciate with their home country. “PARA PARA” references a ’90s dance trend that they remember from their youth.

In a statement, band member Mana says, “With our self-titled album CHAI declare that we live proudly as Japanese women. We hope this album gives everyone a little more confidence in living how they want to live. That is our ideal. If this album becomes that existence for anyone, that is the right answer in our eyes⭐ Listen, feel. We give you our evolution, inside and out! Now come onnn, NEO-KAWAII BABIES. If you can’t catch up with us, you’ll never feel the NEO KAWAII♡”

CHAI’s newly announced tour is scheduled to start September 23 (just a day after CHAI’s release) with a set at Idaho’s Flipside Festival. Further shows will take place across the U.S. before the North American run wraps up at Mexico’s Indie Rocks! festival on October 13. See the full schedule below.

1. MATCHA
2. From 1992
2. PARA PARA
4. GAME
5. We The Female!
6. Neo Kawaii,K?
7. I Can’t Organize
8. Driving22
9. Like, I Need
10. KARAOKE

September 23 - Boise, ID - Flipside Festival
September 24 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
September 25 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
September 27 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
September 29 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom
October 2 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall
October 4 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
October 6 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
October 8 - Boston, MA - Crystal Ballroom
October 10 - Washington, DC - Union Stage
October 11 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
October 13 - Mexico City, MEX - Indie Rocks!

November 1 - Berlin, DE - Pitchfork Music Festival Berlin
November 3 - Paris, FR - Badaboum
November 5 - Amsterdam, NL - Tolhuis (Paradiso Noord)
November 6 - Brussels, BE - Botanique – The Rotonde
November 8 - Southampton, UK - Heartbreakers
November 9 - Brighton, UK - Patterns
November 10 - London, UK - Pitchfork Music Festival
November 12 - Manchester, UK - Yes (Pink Room)
November 13 - Glasgow, UK - Broadcast
November 15 - Leeds, UK - Headrow House
November 16 - Bristol, UK - Rough Trade