PREMIERE | Caro Juna, "Maybe"
Introducing the cool pop world of Caro Juna; photographed by Josefine Cardoni.
As the entire world went sideways, we cast our attention toward the arts that move us in mysterious ways. From the pandemic, social unrest, racially motivated violence and civics in the flux of chaos to restorative rehabilitation; our surrounding world can seem imbued with a menacing level of malevolence lost in the throes of unstoppable entropy. Today's arts serve as outlets to channel new and familiar sensations of joy, comfort and happiness that give cause to allow us to emerge slowly out of our insulated shelters in place. These special songs, literature, visuals, films and binge-worthy serials spark relatable senses of being seen, heard and recognized on levels of identity, culture and universal humanity as a whole. These articles of artifices reconnect and reconcile us with ourselves, the inconsistencies and sentiments of incompletions that make us feel okay with not always feeling or having to always be okay all the time. The best modern era crafts ground us in an assured sense of fascination and invested intrigue whilst in the face of unrelenting uncertainty.
Illustrating the intricacies of ambition, ambiguity and ascension is Brooklyn-based artist Caro Juna sharing news of the Violent Delights EP (arriving April 16) with the debut of “Maybe”. Heralding from Japanese, Korean, American heritages and trained in classical piano; Juna explores the processes of acclimation, assimilations and the negotiations of exploring aspects of identit[ies] through the processes and pain of growing up alongside the challenges and triumphs of living your own truth[s]. From the established structures, traditions and expectations of family to the pressures of the surrounding world; Caro sets out on her own personal and creative path that manifests an inclusive style of shimmering poetics and personal passions. The fabrics of histories, culture, contemporary influences/interests and more intersect into a blend of the some of the brightest pop syntheses heard yet in 2021.
The skyward ascent of Caro Juna; photographed by Josefine Cardoni
“Maybe” is a track of pure magic that rewards the listener upon multiple listens. Caro Juna lyrically moves through autobiographical perspectives as an Asian American woman navigating the cultural contrasts in pursuits of self and spiritual actualization. Juna’s production approach reimagines the brightest points where the hypnagogic and the maximalist meet with a time twisting emerald electro edge. Imagine the early works of Toro y Moi, Washed Out, Neon Indian, U.S. Girls, et al. — and calculate for a moment that sense of awe and amplify that experience exponentially into new dynamic current day era dimensions. New narratives and new ways of cultural coexistence and generative cooperation reign as love supreme as “Maybe” expresses righteous and rhythmic statements of empowerment. Caro Juna orchestrates a sophisti-pop odyssey that glows with the chart topping luster of glamorous immortality that was all the rage prior to the 90s cool class batch of pop icons. “Maybe” dabbles in a hypnotizing retro futurism, confronting the inescapable influence of the past and the new conscious movements of excitement, possibility and light offered by the future and the power of now.
A portrait of Caro Juna; photographed by Josefine Cardoni.
Caro Juna shared the following reflections on the Violent Delights EP, her identity as an Asian American artist and thoughts on the recent wave of violence toward fellow members of the AAPI communities:
As an Asian American artist, I’ve often wondered what my place was in an industry that didn’t seem to favor faces like mine. Through years of social conditioning, I learned to cater to the people around me, to make myself smaller to accommodate and appease others. With the rapidly shifting social climate spurred by the pandemic and public outcry over devastating racially motivated incidents, I was inspired to shed and unlearn any attitude I might’ve had of self-doubt and insecurity and feel empowered to create music that was entirely my own from start to finish with no boundaries or limitations.
City top moods by Caro Juna; photographed by Josefine Cardoni.
In the first song, "Mister Anxiety," I wanted to open the EP with a song that openly discussed the anxiety I developed over the years as a minority woman struggling to survive in a world that seemed to be built against her. With the next song, "Maybe," I addressed the painful experience I had with my parents and learning to bridge the generational gap that so many immigrant children experience. In "Unalone," I write about learning how to turn my muscle into stone, reminding myself to always look both ways before crossing, and that by tie[ing] my shadow to your feet, my trauma ultimately follows me everywhere. Finally, in "Satellite Lover," I once again reiterate my desperate attempt to stand tall in a world that I don’t feel I belong in. Ultimately, my entire EP is a love letter not only to my younger self but to all Asian women who are learning to love themselves in a world that tells them they are lesser than.
Inclusive perspectives and more by Caro Juna; photographed by Josefine Cardoni.
Given the recent attacks on Asians, especially Asian women, the need for social and culture change seems more and more imperative. It’s increasingly obvious that there is a need for not just for more representation in the media, but more of the right kind of representation. So much of the media imagery of Asian women up until now has involved insulting and dangerous stereotypes that promote fetishization and racism and perhaps celebrating more empowered, graceful portrayals of Asian women might be a good place to start.
Caro Juna’s self-released EP Violent Delights will be available April 16.
“Maybe” single cover art courtesy of Khoi Pham.