The UK soul-pop scene has a vibrant new tenant, and she’s brought a cinematic masterpiece with her. Recently signed to Teamwrk Records, singer-songwriter CHIRAI is already making waves with her latest single, ‘Blueberry Skies’. Inspired by the evocative poetry of Lang Leav, the track is a lush blend of R&B sensibilities and soaring gospel harmonies that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.
It isn’t just the music that’s catching fire; the track has already sparked a viral trend on TikTok, proving that CHIRAI’s "intentional" approach to her craft resonates deeply with a digital-native audience. By weaving in nods to classics like The Dixie Cups’ ‘Chapel of Love’ alongside her own powerhouse vocals, she has created a sonic world that celebrates safe love and the journey towards self-worth.
We sat down with CHIRAI to discuss her creative evolution, the vulnerability of sharing her "journal entries" with the world, and what it’s like to find your voice in the driver’s seat.
Thank you so much for joining us, CHIRAI! 'Blueberry Skies' is a stunning release - to start us off, how would you describe the evolution of your sound and how that has led to the single?
"I think my sound has been slowly becoming more honest over time. When I was writing ‘Blueberry Skies', I wrestled with the pressure to follow current trends in popular music and worried people might not connect with my cinematic, pop-soul-R&B-gospel blend track…tongue twister. I had a fear that by exploring so many genres and different parts of my identity, I might end up not fully connecting with anyone."
"As a big vocalist, I’ve always loved R&B layers and gospel harmonies, styles that aren’t exactly mainstream or celebrated in Australia, but with each song, I’ve learned to trust my instincts, leaning into atmosphere, emotion, and storytelling rather than trying to fit into a specific sound. ‘Blueberry Skies’ felt like a natural point in that evolution. It holds the softness and introspection that I’ve always been drawn to, but it’s also a little more cinematic and expansive. It feels like I’ve allowed the world of what the song wished to exist, as in that moment in time, to breathe, rather than holding it tightly."
‘Blueberry Skies’ has such a distinct, evocative title. What was the original spark that inspired the track and the name?
"‘Blueberry Skies’ was inspired by Lang Leav’s poem ‘Blue’, which really resonated with me because it talks about how we shape and colour our own experiences, like each of us is a living work of art. I wanted to capture that overwhelming, beautiful feeling of knowing you’ve found the one. That sense of awe and love really guided both the songwriting and production. We went for a super cinematic sound, building anticipation that eventually bursts into these soaring, gospel-style choruses. Making this song felt really intentional, with every element chosen to serve that emotional arc."
"The title actually came shortly after; I had this image in my mind of a sky that felt almost surreal, like something slightly richer, sweeter and deeper than the ordinary blue we see every day. 'Blueberry Skies' felt like a way of describing a moment where reality and imagination blur a little. Hopeless romantic, can you tell? The song grew around that image. It became about those moments in life where things feel suspended, where you're reflecting, hoping, maybe even healing. The title just held that feeling perfectly."
Songwriting is often a way of processing life. What was happening for you personally when you wrote this, and how did those experiences shape the song?
"Well, long story short - I fell head over heels in L- O- V – E. You know that knocks the shoes off your feet, has you daydreaming what they do on the weekends and makes you want to embroider their name into your clothing – when you can’t even sew. That whirlwind of emotion was the heartbeat of ‘Blueberry Skies'."
"But alongside all that excitement, I was also reflecting on the closed chapters that came before, the lessons, the heartbreaks, the moments of growth, that somehow led me to this person. It made me realise how necessary it was for us to meet in that exact space and time. That mix of wonder, gratitude, and awe shaped my perspective of everything. Writing it was my way of capturing all of that, the intensity, the joy, the anticipation, the quiet moments of reflection that come with truly knowing someone is the one. It developed every note, every soaring chorus, and even the cinematic build-up in the production. In the end, ‘Blueberry Skies’ became a song about falling completely, wonderfully, and intentionally in love."
Releasing music that’s so emotionally honest can be daunting. Was there any part of this track that felt particularly vulnerable to share?
"I mean, HECK YES. It felt incredibly vulnerable to share this song. The honesty comes straight from my personal life, and I leaned into my gospel roots with big runs, layered harmonies, and repetitive chorus builds. Those choices weren’t just stylistic, they reflected the hope and joy of a young couple entering a loving union, which is deeply personal to me. I think mostly, having my family and my partner’s family hear it felt so weird, like they got a front-row seat to a table reading of my journal. Although, sharing something so personal can feel exposing, but it’s also what I love most about music; often, the most authentic and honest songs are the ones that connect with people the deepest."
The production is incredibly cinematic while remaining intimate. What was the creative process like bringing that specific sound to life in the studio?
"From the start, I wanted ‘Blueberry Skies’ to feel spacious, like standing under the wide, open, fictional sky I had imagined, but still deeply real. I was really inspired by Bruno Mars’ ‘Marry You’ and other iconic love and wedding songs from the mid-2000s for early production choices. Because the lyrics are so personal, honest, and reflective, I wanted the production to mirror the natural progression of the story building anticipation, supporting the lyricism, and creating the world of Blueberry Skies. To achieve this, we focused on balance: cinematic drums, fast strings, layered vocals, and soaring, choir-like choruses. Every element progresses in a way that captures the overwhelming joy, anticipation, and realisation of falling completely in love, so that the listener experiences the emotional journey alongside the song."
When you listen back to the track now, what kind of visual landscapes or memories come to mind?
"I hope listeners feel a kind of quiet wonder and possibility. On a personal level, 'Blueberry Skies' brings back memories of falling in love, those small, intimate moments and big, breathtaking ones, the times that make your heart feel simultaneously calm and wide open. The song feels like a mix of nostalgia and hope to me, like stepping into a world both imagined and deeply real."
Beyond the music itself, what do you hope the CHIRAI project represents for your growing community of fans?
"I’ve always hoped that the world of CHIRAI is one that creates a space where honesty, vulnerability, heartbreak, love, fear, joy and the full spectrum of human emotions are celebrated. Beyond the music, I hope it represents a community where people feel seen and understood – a place to explore emotions freely, without judgement. It’s about connecting over shared experiences, stories, and feelings, and hopefully inspiring listeners to embrace the different layers of themselves as they navigate life. Above all, I want to feel seen and remind them of the gift it is to be alive, even on days it doesn’t feel that way."
With ‘Blueberry Skies’ out now and a new label behind you, what are you most excited to explore next?
"Honestly? To keep making music. I’m excited to continue exploring new sounds, telling stories that feel honest and real, and sharing pieces of my world and mind with listeners. Letting them learn more about me, and me about them, has been incredible. I’ve loved hearing all the way the track has resonated with people, ways I never would nor could have imagined. I hope I continue to make music that feels like an ongoing conversation. Every song is another step in that journey, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next."
With her heart on her sleeve and a voice that demands to be heard, CHIRAI is proving that staying true to your roots is the ultimate power move. ‘Blueberry Skies’ is more than just a single; it’s an invitation into a world where being a "hopeless romantic" is a badge of honour. As she begins this new chapter with Teamwrk Records, we suspect this is just the first of many conversations we’ll be having with this rising soul-pop star.
