There is a brand-new songstress on the scene carrying true soulful jazz energy and pure vibes.
Her name is Mai Anna, straight out of Queens, New York. On her latest track, “Chameleon,” featuring Chloe George, she delivers a smooth, effortless cut built on a bouncy, jazz-inflected groove. It comes equipped with a smooth head nod and if you find yourself two-stepping in the living room, take that as an extra bonus.
The song gives us an early preview of her upcoming debut project, Sleepy Eyes, released via Epic Records and Not So Fast.
The Sound and New York Aura of “Chameleon”
The official music video, directed by Jasper Seven Productions, oozes New York aura from start to finish. It captures that classic, grounded New York feeling: the kind that makes you want to rock a kufi, grab a chew stick, and burn some incense just to get the scent right in your crib.
Mai Anna appears alongside her real-life circle, including Chloe George. The video sends you drifting through a dreamlike visual that mirrors the song’s reflective mood. The track itself was created in Joshua Tree alongside her longtime collaborator and producer Solomon Fox. Fox lays down an elastic bassline that leaves plenty of breathing room for Mai Anna silky vocals.
Chloe George drops in to complement the arrangement cleanly, giving the record an extra layer of warmth without cluttering the pocket.
Letting Beautiful Things Fall Apart
Beyond the production, the real hook here is the message. “Chameleon” works as an open letter about stripping away expectations, embracing change, and accepting that starting over is often necessary.
As Mai Anna explains:
“I’ve had so many moments where I was afraid of what was next, especially when the version of my life I had imagined started to fall apart. But I’ve learned that sometimes beautiful things fall apart because you’re ready for something new. When I could let go of who I thought I was supposed to be, I found myself much closer to who I actually was.”
It serves as a sharp reminder that things crumbling around you is not always a loss; sometimes it is just room to breathe.
From Harvard to Studying Under Esperanza Spalding
Mai Anna’s route to this moment was deliberate. She is half Japanese and Puerto Rican so academics was important in her household.
Mai attended Harvard University, where in between classes she was song writing, playing piano, jamming, and performing live sets. Along the way, she studied under legendary bassist and composer Esperanza Spalding. She was soaking up jazz sensibilities and melodic freedom that show up clearly in her phrasing today. Safe to say she is cut from good cloth
That patient foundation anchors “Chameleon.” It is honest, refreshing, and shows what happens when an artist takes their time figuring out who they are before stepping up to the mic.
Stream – Chameleon Here
