REVIEW: Chloe Qisha Dances The Heartbreak Away with “So Sad So Hot”
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY IVONA HOMICIANU ☆
“SO SAD SO HOT” WILL EITHER MAKE YOU TURN THE MUSIC LOUDER OR PROJECT YOU BACK TO THE 80S—Most likely, both. Chloe Qisha revealed her newest single on Friday, and it is nothing short of excellent. That was to be expected, given Qisha’s dedication to curating her brand as an artist, making her stand out in a wave of newcomers.
Qisha released her debut EP Modern Romance earlier this year, a project that put her on the map as one of the artists with the most potential. Everything about her image is intentional—from the 80s inspired synth sound, to the black and red aesthetic accompanying her creative visuals. In the year since she began, she amassed nearly 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
“So Sad So Hot” keeps that 80s nostalgic sound, while at the same time adding novelty to the production. It should be studied how she manages to hold a coherent sound throughout her songs, yet they all have a distinct personality. The single is catchy, reminiscent of the soundtrack of a discotheque.
The music video visualizes the scene perfectly: we have Qisha dancing in a dark room with a group of dancers highlighting her as the protagonist of the moment. With her signature red lipstick, black bralette and red leather pants, she channels the aura of Madonna as the sex symbol of our generation. The choreography and the intense eye contact are enticing.
There is notable ABBA influence in the production, bringing forth excitement and happiness with the “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” inspiration. The chorus will get stuck in your head from the first listen. The specific lyric “I tried to drown you out with happy, happy thoughts” scratches a particular itch in the brain.
Qisha’s vocals are vibrant—the variety in her tone and the control she has on her voice, particularly in the outro, create a smooth and enchanting atmosphere. The single ends with a fade out, as if leaving the nightclub, which makes you want to play it again immediately. The addictive quality of “So Sad So Hot” proves that Qisha is on her way to stardom.
