Being the daughter of a banjo player, singer Fine Glindvad grew up travelling around Europe among folk musicians. The guitarist, Simon Kjær Lauridsen, comes from the twisted-minded indie and free jazz environments. And the man behind the synths, Simon Lars Gustav Andersson, is a classically trained pianist. It sounds like an impossible combination, and not as a trio creating some of most captivating Danish pop music here and now.
Nevertheless, this is the case. On their very first single, 'Away From Me', CHINAH underline why they have stirred curiosity both home and abroad. 'Away From Me' is also the track that made the three members realize that together, they could accomplish something special.
- We have all been through a process of moving towards electronic pop and r&b from each our starting points. Being shamelessly melodic is not always well regarded where we come from, but we have been urging to play around with exactly that. So it has been very liberating for us. Still, we cannot avoid having our own edge because of our backgrounds, says Simon Lars Gustav Andersson.
These dynamics clearly shine through in 'Away From Me'. Fine Glindvad’s laidback vocal carries the track while beats and instruments build up to a climax that deliberately never arrives. CHINAH’s sense of economizing chaos finds its inspiration from various sources: Blood Orange’s courage to chase big tunes, Jai Paul’s aesthetic anarchy and James Blake clean vocals.
Every song on the EP CHINAH releases in the fall explores and elaborates this style. Another theme running through tracks like 'Never the Same', 'We Go Back' and 'You Can Walk Away From Me' is Fine Glindvad’s non-romantic poetry smoldering beneath the delicate melodies.
- The lyrics are sung from the perspective naive submission. But it feels liberating because of the light melodies. It is a path towards acceptance: ‘I can lie here and bleed for you, but that is life.’ It is almost a tribute to laying yourself down. I am forever touched by statements of eerily sincerity. That is also why I do not use much imagery. I say it just as it is, says Fine Glindvad.
These themes also hint the fragileness of the band name, CHINAH.
Throughout the spring, CHINAH has toured with acclaimed Danish band Turboweekend and played at the important Danish SPOT Festival. Following SPOT, CHINAH was named among the best new acts by both Danish music magazine Soundvenue and international festival delegates. This autumn another single and an EP will follow.
Strange Is Better
Chinah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's not an issue
I′m gonna stay anyway
I'm gonna stay anyway
Strange is better almost as better
You keep repeating yourself and
I keep repeating anyone
Strange is better
So addiction is left right
That′s not an issue
I′m gonna leave it under
Like Imma rise you become have depsite one kind of it's better
You keep repeating yourself and it keeps repeating anyone
Strange is better
All love is just better
Strange is better, all love′s just better
All love's just better
And darling you could be a way up
You′re never statisfied, oh
Darling you could be a way up
Strange is better, all love's just better.
And so affect as I do breath
That′s how you know me
Who wants aesthetic and trough glass
You see the world so I pass
Strange is better, all love's just better
All love's just better
(All love just better)
(Strange is better)
(All love′s just better)
(All love′s just better)
And darling you gonna be a way up
You're never statisfied oh
And darling you gonna be a way up
Your lucky i′m alright ohh
All love's just better
Strange is better
All love′s just better
Strange is better
All love's just better
All love′s just better
So you don't understand me, that's not an issue
I′m gonna stay anyway
I′m gonna stay anyway
Strange is better almost is better
You keep repeating yourself, I keep repeating anyone
The lyrics to Chinah’s "Strange Is Better" explore the notion that being perceived as “strange” or “different” can be a positive thing. The line “So you don't understand me, that's not an issue, I'm gonna stay anyway” suggests that the singer is comfortable with their own uniqueness, even if others struggle to understand it. The repetition of the phrase “strange is better” throughout the song further reinforces this idea. The lyrics also touch on the themes of addiction, satisfaction, and identity, with lines like “All love is just better” and “You could be a way up, you're never satisfied” hinting at a relationship where the singer’s partner is always seeking something new and exciting.
Line by Line Meaning
So you don't understand me, that's not an issue
Misunderstanding me is not a problem that will make me leave.
I'm gonna stay anyway
Despite the absence of understanding, I will still stick around.
Strange is better almost is better
The unconventional and unfamiliar is just as good as anything else, if not better.
You keep repeating yourself and I keep repeating anyone
You're stuck in your ways, while I'm open to new perspectives and ideas.
All love's just better
Love is universally great, no matter how it manifests.
So addiction is left right, that’s not an issue, I'm gonna leave it under
The ups and downs of addiction do not scare me, as I will eventually overcome them and move on with my life.
Like Imma rise you become have depsite one kind of it's better
I will grow and succeed, even if you do not see the same path as me.
And darling you could be a way up, You're never satisfied, oh
You could be a source of motivation and inspiration for me, but your lack of contentment holds you back.
And so affect as I do breath, That's how you know me
You can understand my true nature by the way I carry myself and express my emotions.
Who wants aesthetic and trough glass, You see the world so I pass
You only see things on the surface, while I prefer to explore deeper meaning and complexity.
All love's just better
Love is universally great, no matter how it manifests.
And darling you gonna be a way up, You're never satisfied oh
Although you have the potential to be an inspiration, your lack of happiness and gratification holds you back.
Your lucky I'm alright ohh, All love's just better, Strange is better
Despite your issues, I am still able to love and accept you. Strange and unconventional paths are always a viable option.
All love's just better, Strange is better
Love, in all its forms, is always great. The strange and unconventional path is also a valid option.
Writer(s): Simon Andersson, Fine Jensen, Simon Lauridsen
Contributed by Adrian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cadre YH
its cool how i saw your performance on colors which led me to search for more of your music. Only 3471 views on this video, but the music is awesome! Kinda The Knife feel alittle bit, but none the less, <3 it!
NasrafRekcos
Spotify thought I would like this and I do! For hilvide! Det er sgu skide godt! Meaning it is really good and sort of the only song I've been listening on since monday morning. Approximately 20 times a day.
VooQooQ
The best song I ever heard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
maw2k
Didn't know there is such a wonderful video. Thank you for this and this fck'ing amazing track!!!!! I discovered it a few weeks ago on Spotify and already ordered the album. I hope we will see soon something new. Cheers from Canada.
SeñorxColdHands
How are you guys effortlessly this cool?. 🙀
Sarah Bliss Morin
one of the dopest things I've ever heard.
Paul Thomas
Gänsehaut!
Moonlight Juniperovich
I N S A N E !
Nando Xavier
PERFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECT <3
carbon1479
This could do with a Spectrasoul remix.