Artist: Annalise Tang
Album: Annalise Tang
Release: July 31, 2026; Self Release
Those who are familiar with ska as a genre are probably well aware of its differing energies, but if you’re looking to dip your toes into the genre but always thought, “Horns? That’s too energetic!”, then Annalies Tang’s self-titled album is for you! On the trombone slide of reggae to ska, the horns section falls somewhere near ‘slow skanking with periods of frenzy in the pit’. Because everyone knows the only difference between reggae and ska is dance style. Okay, there’s a lot of differences between the two; so many entire essays probably exist on the subject. But that’s not the point.
Let’s get into it! First off, I enjoyed this album immensely. I’ve probably mentioned before how big into Hope I am lately (can you blame me?). Right off the bat, Annalies Tang reassures you that sure things are pretty bad but they’re probably also good, too. Maybe? Who cares, anyways, let’s take some shots. Once we’re nice and drunk we will probably cry at the beauty of it all. Man, I love being alive.
And that’s just in the first two songs!
Jokes aside, this album also delves deep into some very specific and personal subject matter. I can’t pretend to understand all the complexities of being Chinese in America, but “Jasmine Tea” gives just enough of a picture to put a bad taste in my mouth. This was one of the songs that left a pretty big impression on me on the first listen. If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that we are all victims of the white patriarchy.
Depending on the way you look at it, “Crystals & Herbs” could be a soothing song about holistic medicine, or calling out how what has long since been used in Chinese medicine (and a plethora of other nonwhite cultures’ practices) has been overtaken by white women specifically and turned it into ‘a fun little quirky hobby.’ I may have been looking too into the meaning of it, but it follows a song literally about the fetishization of Asian women, so… I guess the only way we’ll really know is if we ask Annalies Tang.
As a raging feminist and aspiring vengeful ghost, I couldn’t get enough of “Emilio” and “Her and I”, which tells the tale of Emilio who is not only a justice bro, but also a pretty cool ghost. I think we all need to be a little more like Emilio. Cool hair color included, by the way. You can’t have one song without the other, either, so make sure you listen to both. Listen to the whole album, really.
I don’t often call songs a ‘perfect closer’, but if I were to assign it to any, “Jelly” is right up there on the list. It’s a meditative romp in the existential ether. Which I admit, doesn’t sound like it should be everyone’s jam (pun fully intended), but give it a try and you’ll see what I mean.
In short, Annalies Tang is a beautiful reminder that ‘Chill Ska’ isn’t an oxymoron, but a way of life.
If you like the album I reviewed here and want to support the artist as well as this blog please consider picking up the album via this affiliate link—>
Those who are familiar with ska as a genre are probably well aware of its differing energies, but if you’re looking to dip your toes into the genre but always thought, “Horns? That’s too energetic!”, then Annalies Tang’s self-titled album is for you! On the trombone slide of reggae to ska, the horns section falls somewhere near ‘slow skanking with periods of frenzy in the pit’. Because everyone knows the only difference between reggae and ska is dance style. Okay, there’s a lot of differences between the two; so many entire essays probably exist on the subject. But that’s not the point.
Let’s get into it! First off, I enjoyed this album immensely. I’ve probably mentioned before how big into Hope I am lately (can you blame me?). Right off the bat, Annalies Tang reassures you that sure things are pretty bad but they’re probably also good, too. Maybe? Who cares, anyways, let’s take some shots. Once we’re nice and drunk we will probably cry at the beauty of it all. Man, I love being alive.
And that’s just in the first two songs!
Jokes aside, this album also delves deep into some very specific and personal subject matter. I can’t pretend to understand all the complexities of being Chinese in America, but “Jasmine Tea” gives just enough of a picture to put a bad taste in my mouth. This was one of the songs that left a pretty big impression on me on the first listen. If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that we are all victims of the white patriarchy.
Depending on the way you look at it, “Crystals & Herbs” could be a soothing song about holistic medicine, or calling out how what has long since been used in Chinese medicine (and a plethora of other nonwhite cultures’ practices) has been overtaken by white women specifically and turned it into ‘a fun little quirky hobby.’ I may have been looking too into the meaning of it, but it follows a song literally about the fetishization of Asian women, so… I guess the only way we’ll really know is if we ask Annalies Tang.
As a raging feminist and aspiring vengeful ghost, I couldn’t get enough of “Emilio” and “Her and I”, which tells the tale of Emilio who is not only a justice bro, but also a pretty cool ghost. I think we all need to be a little more like Emilio. Cool hair color included, by the way. You can’t have one song without the other, either, so make sure you listen to both. Listen to the whole album, really.
I don’t often call songs a ‘perfect closer’, but if I were to assign it to any, “Jelly” is right up there on the list. It’s a meditative romp in the existential ether. Which I admit, doesn’t sound like it should be everyone’s jam (pun fully intended), but give it a try and you’ll see what I mean.
In short, Annalies Tang is a beautiful reminder that ‘Chill Ska’ isn’t an oxymoron, but a way of life.
