Kai Tak - Tung Chung (feat. Chelsey Boy)

This review was commissioned through Ko-fi. However, it bears no weight on the score or decision. All reviews are written from an unbiased standpoint. 

LA-based producer and musician Kai Tak got his start in March of 2020 with his 'Demos' single 'Waste It' featuring Chelsey Boy. Known for his role in LA's post-punk band Cold Showers, Kai Tak brought that experience as well as his production work with artists such as Fearing, Topographies, Tamaryn, Glaare, and The Sea at Midnight to his solo project. However, his vision for Kai Tak was a bit unique; while he would be the beat maker and musician, he would collaborate with vocalists in the future to truly bring his tracks to life. This trend continues into both his next two singles Jalen Rose (in which he worked with Draag) and the subject of this review, Tung Chung which features Chelsey Boy again. 



Kai Tak further seeks to separate himself from the crowd by focusing on founder Chris King's birthplace of Hong Kong, where the grimy sights and sounds still ring loud in his head. And he certainly does separate himself from the crowd as 'Tung Chung' is a pretty damned good single. Post-punk influences still sing as reverb-laden guitars in the background as the primarily trip-hop inspired beat takes center stage. All the while, vocalist Chelsey Boy sings like a canary through it all perfectly balancing the stage. There's a vulnerability to her voice that I appreciate. At the same time, she marches forth through whatever rough scenario the protagonist of this single is going through with hope and a desire to move on. I think the drums manipulate the song, as well, to give it a slightly hard edge, matching the emotion Chelsey Boy gives off. 

'Tung Chung' is but a taste of what's to come from Kai Tak as he's planning on releasing further singles this year leading up to his debut album. So, stay tuned. 
May 30 2022