Chloe Qisha | Modern Romance
In a world where dating feels like a group project no one signed up for and optimism is a niche hobby of woke nonsense, Modern Romance, the debut EP from Chloe Qisha, lands like a glitter bomb in a group therapy session. Fusing the emotional whiplash of digital-age love with sardonic wit and floor-ready grooves, Qisha has created a record that’s as danceable as it is devastating.
Opening track 21st Century Cool Girl is both a mission statement and a misdirection — a high-heeled stomp through the contradictions of confidence and chaos. The production gleams, all chrome synths and retro-disco licks, while Qisha’s vocals are dipped in irony and vulnerability in equal measure. It’s the kind of song that turns self-awareness into a superpower, weaponizing sarcasm to mask real yearning — like if Clueless had an existential crisis and a killer hook.
The title track, Modern Romance, slows the glitterball spin to something more fragmented and twitchy. Here, Qisha leans into glitch-pop minimalism, echoing the fragmented connections and unsent messages of contemporary dating. It’s moody, sharp-edged, and deeply felt. “Read receipts and regret,” she sings, her voice filtered but emotionally raw — a line that hits harder the more you try to pretend it doesn’t.
Then there’s Sex, Drugs & Existential Dread, an instant classic that manages to bottle the entire vibe of being alive in 2025. It’s the EP’s biggest swing and its most undeniable success — a nervy, neon-lit anthem that turns anxiety into a chorus you want to scream in the middle of a crowded club. “The world is on fire, let’s order Taco Bell” isn’t just a lyric — it’s a generational motto. Underneath the glitter and BPMs, Qisha is making the most of the mess — and making it sound spectacular.
On The Boys, the energy dips into something gentler but no less resonant. Here, the noise quiets, and Qisha lets the emotion breathe. It’s a snapshot of queer longing and past tense pain, wrapped in soft synth pads and nostalgia-soaked vocals. It’s not just a break in the pace — it’s a glimpse at the artist’s range. Where the earlier tracks weaponize irony, The Boys lets it drop entirely, and it’s quietly devastating.
Closing number A-Game ties up the record’s themes with sly confidence and irresistible melody. It’s a victory lap disguised as a pop song, folding heartbreak, humour, and honesty into one last singalong. Qisha doesn’t resolve the chaos of modern love — she simply makes it sound euphoric.
With Modern Romance, Chloe Qisha proves she’s more than a clever lyricist or a trend-savvy producer — she’s a full-package pop visionary who understands that today’s romance is messy, absurd, and kind of beautiful. This EP doesn’t just soundtrack modern love — it dissects it, dances with it, and then sends it a voice memo at 3am. Smart, stylish, and strikingly real, Modern Romance is one of the year’s most essential listens.
