‘Turn Up The Radio’ by Chinese American Bear | New Album, ‘Dim Sum & Then Some’
Chinese American Bear return with their brand new single ‘Turn Up the Radio (把收音机开大点)’, a vibrant preview of their upcoming album ‘Dim Sum & Then Some’, arriving May 8, 2026.
It’s bright, sugary, and a little off-kilter in the best way. Barsten calls it “a kids song for adults,” which fits. It’s playful and simple on the surface, but there’s something slightly warped in the production that keeps it from feeling too sweet. It follows earlier singles like ‘Mama,’ ‘No No Yeah Yeah (不不好啊好啊),’ and ‘All The People (所有人),’ and comes with more tour dates across Europe this September, alongside their North American run. Tong says the track came together fast. Instead of telling a story, they just packed the verses with small things that make them happy, a loose nod to ‘My Favorite Things.’ You can hear that joy all over it.
The new album leans into a fuller, more layered sound. There’s still their pop core, but it stretches out into disco, synthy textures, a bit of psychedelia. It feels more open, like they’re letting songs wander a little. Based in Seattle, the duo make bilingual indie pop that’s quirky, catchy, and hard not to smile at.
“We end up writing songs that almost feel like kids songs, and this is one of them,” Barsten says. “I like that it sounds really simple and playful, but then the production twists it just enough so it’s not actually ‘kids music.’ ‘Turn Up The Radio’ sits right in that space for us. It’s bright, fun, a little sugary, but with this slightly trippy edge underneath.”
Headline photo: Eleanor Petry
Chinese American Bear Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
