XaaXaa returns with another decadent, dark release; this time, as marionettes. On June 9, their latest digital single Chigire Chau (ちぎれちゃう) arrived alongside a macabre music video.
The video unfolds as a nightmarish puppet show, with the band members suspended from their gothic set by taut ropes. A trilling, calliope-like melody drifts through the opening, evoking the warped cheerfulness of a forgotten carnival.
Suddenly, vocalist Kazuki stirs to life. With an eerie calm, he beckons listeners closer, inviting them to admire his lovely collection of dolls. Then, his voice tears into a deep, gritty scream. With a laugh, the invitation transforms into something sinister, as though the audience has been trapped in the diorama with him. One by one, the remaining members awaken, their movements jerky and mechanical as they perform, pulled by unseen hands.
Chigire Chau is available on all major streaming platforms. While the music video offers opulent visuals, the song is equally rewarding on its own. Listening separately allows its layered textures to shine before returning to the video, where countless small details await discovery.
Likewise, XaaXaa’s accompanying artist visuals deserve a closer examination. The music video’s vintage film grain and strobing lights lend the performance a disorienting, stop-motion-like quality, making it easy to miss some finer details. The stills below reveal a surprising splash of emerald green, and ghostly ice-blue eyes. Take a moment to linger on the images and appreciate the intricate details, below.
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- Vocalist Kazuki
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- Guitarist Haruga
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- Bassist Reiya
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- Drummer An
- Chigire Chauちぎれちゃう