It remains of the biggest milestones for K-pop artists. Anticipated in an industry that typically favours the mini-album format (and even the single album which, when announced, sometimes feels like someone dropping a cactus inside the bouncing castle of excitement), a full-length album is usually greeted with a resounding “finally!” Since 2023, solo artist CHUU – a former member of iconic girl group LOONA – has released three well-received mini projects to her name. Now, starting the new year strong, she has come back with her first album titled XO, My Cyberlove.
From the title, you might assume that the album is a cutesy lovefest – and while some songs could be categorised within such a wide framework, there is way more to Chuu’s story. Instead of straightforward romance, the singer explores connection and rebirth in their different guises while also portraying a more mature sound. Without faltering, the album hops across multiple genres from pathos-leaden synth-pop, minimalist R&B, pop rock, glitchy electronica alongside experimental dives into moombahton and Afrobeats. As such, the album surprises across its nine tracks, sometimes within her comfort zone but very often out.
The title track is a dreamy, disco-lite confection that explores the bittersweet connection occurring between people online. There seems present an ABBA influence: for the song is groovy yet melancholy as CHUU plaintively sings “Maybe I love you… / I want to hug and kiss you” during the chorus which is compounded by the inherent distance that usually follows such relationships. The track, admittedly, is not what one would expect as a lead. It is subdued, sweet and sad in lyrics, vocals and production rather than the bright (strawberry) rush of energy expected from the singer.
Such pathos does not necessarily define the album however, as those who adore the inherent cuteness of CHUU’s personality will discover on the bright “Teeny Tiny Heart” is there. Over whimsical production of horn bursts and synths, she contextualises heartbreak in an ironically warm context, playfully singing “Don’t go breaking my / Teeny tiny / Teeny tiny / Heart” in fun harmony. She even casually calls back to her iconic debut single “Heart Attack” showing that she still loves the song that started it all. Although adorable in sound and performance, its placement on the album feels natural for no CHUU project feels properly complete without a straightforward smiler of a song.
CHUU also demonstrates a new mature side while experimenting with new sonic directions. Tracks like the propulsive, afrobeat-inflected “Love Potion” have CHUU demonstrating a sensual, lower register with more mature lyrics (“I like a pink love potion / I like to feel you near / I like to keep it going”) that somehow will undoubtedly raise a few eyebrows. Similarly, the rhythmic and hypnotic “Limoncello” – named after the sour lemon liqueur – is about the dizzying effect of newfound attraction. Even the atmospheric “Cocktail Dress” is a new detour for her. A synthy pop track patched with blips and glitched vocal fragments – allows the singer to deliver a restrained yet biting ode about having “tasted bitters of [her] life” and wanting to liberate herself from the weight of such thoughts.
The highlights on the project prove to be about endurance and resurrection as CHUU’s successful solo career was not achieved without many obstacles being thrown in her path. “Canary”, for example, is a triumphant and resounding ode to returning back to oneself featuring a winning combination of pop rock and R&B. Lyrically, the song compares a vulnerable person to a canary and the hope that they will return to the person they were before (“I trust you’ll heal / I don’t doubt it / I really believe it”). With a thunderous chorus and a sincere emotive vocal performance, CHUU creates a song of protection and hope that feels like the closing of a sad chapter.
The excellent apex of the album “Heart Tea Bag”, similarly hopeful and introspective, is a spacey R&B track that emphasises catchy melodies and delivers smooth vocals akin to Ariana Grande (excellent whistle note at the end included). A song about self-realisation and clarity, she uses the metaphor of a rainstorm to confront her chaotic emotions (“Let it rain / Tell me how I really feel”). It may not seem an obvious contender for the best song on the album but its soothing production and deliciously catchy pre chorus detailing the laughing, crying, hating and loving, it is a subtle ear worm that really emphasises the growth of CHUU personally and musically.
XO, My Cyberlove does not disappoint as CHUU’s first album, taking unexpected turns throughout the tracklist. Mature and cathartic, exuberant and boppy, the project never allows the clouds to totally eclipse the sun.
