Somewhere between the blues and the beauty of being human.
Queens-born, LA-based R&B singer Mai Anna released her new EP, Baby Blue, Friday. Growing up Japanese and Puerto Rican in Queens, she discovered her voice as a songwriter while attending Harvard. She spent years writing at the piano, jamming with other musicians and developing her craft as a live performer before officially releasing music. Now, her five-track project brings together three previously released singles — “Baby Blue,” “Sugar High” and “Chameleon” — alongside two new renditions: a stripped-back acoustic version of “Baby Blue” and “Sugar High (シュガーハイ),” reimagined in Japanese and somehow sounding even cooler than it already did.
“Baby Blue - Acoustic” feels as though it was recorded right in Mai Anna’s living room, much like the intimate setting depicted in its music video. The scene opens with a man playing piano as Mai Anna dances freely around the room. Before long, the living room transforms into an ice skating rink, with the piano sitting on the ice as she figure-skates to the music. The video moves seamlessly between these two worlds, illustrating the places her imagination takes her as she gets lost in the song.
At its heart, “Baby Blue” is a reflection on the shortness of life and the importance of expressing affection while we still can. It encourages meeting sadness with tenderness, appreciating the full spectrum of our emotions, and allowing ourselves to feel deeply rather than shy away from what hurts. There's a sense of gratitude in the song for honoring even our most difficult emotions. It ultimately suggests that home isn't necessarily a place, but something we can find within ourselves. Feeling baby blue, in all its vulnerability, might just be one of the most worthwhile parts of being human.
“Sugar High (シュガーハイ)” had me jaw dropped by the first few seconds. The blend of instruments and Mai Anna’s seemingly effortless flow in the song radiates unbelievable levels of swag. It's so sonically captivating that I didn't even register that the verses were in Japanese on my first listen. This rendition feels less like a novelty or alternate version and more like an entirely fresh way to experience an already incredible record.
Featuring Chloe George, “Chameleon” brings the EP its most dynamic and upbeat energy. A heavy bassline complements Mai Anna’s vocals, building an undeniable bad-girl feeling that's impossible to ignore. The melody moves effortlessly up and down alongside her R&B riffs, giving the track an infectious momentum. Lyrically, she calls out someone who constantly changes their colors to blend in with whoever they're around, while standing firmly in her own colorway.
The accompanying music video brings this message of "Chameleon” to life in a clever way. Friends lie together in a circle listening to the song imagining themselves in their own individual colorways confined to their own boxes. Eventually, they break free and dance together as colorful, tinted silhouettes. As Mai Anna sings, “Still don’t get it / We’re trapped in a box with no vision / Imprison yourself, tryna entertain / Don’t let them break your spirit / Just get out, get out,” she challenges the people around her to recognize the ways they've isolated themselves. Rather than continuing to hide behind their boxes, she invites them to step out, embrace their individuality and come together through dance. It's a visually striking interpretation of a song about authenticity, self-expression and refusing to dilute yourself for the sake of fitting in.
Baby Blue EP is a rejuvenating breath of fresh air. The production is smooth while its lyrics offer thoughtful, grounded reflections on life, identity and emotional vulnerability. Across just five tracks, Mai Anna creates a world that feels both sonically adventurous and deeply personal. There's an underlying wisdom woven throughout the project, reminding listeners to embrace their emotions, stay true to their uniqueness and find beauty in the experience of being human. “Baby Blue” is a lovely window into an artist with an extraordinary perspective and an exciting musical direction.