XaaXaa dropped their latest digital single Chigire Chau on June 9, trading their usual stage presence for something far more unsettling: a haunted puppet show.

The music video opens with a carnival-like eeriness, complete with a trilling calliope melody that sounds like it's been warped by time and forgotten in some dusty funhouse. Vocalist Kazuki emerges first, suspended by ropes against a gothic stage set, his calm demeanor immediately off-putting as he invites listeners to admire his "lovely collection of dancing dolls." The moment quickly turns sinister when his voice drops into a deep, gritty scream, and that friendly invitation becomes a trap—viewers are now locked inside the diorama with him.

One by one, the remaining members awaken with jerky, mechanical movements, their bodies controlled by invisible hands. The band performs as if puppeteered, pulled through their motions against their will. It's a straightforward but effective concept executed with meticulous attention to visual detail.

The video's aesthetics deserve close inspection. Vintage film grain and strobing lights create a disorienting, almost stop-motion quality that rewards multiple viewings. Emerald green accents and ghostly ice-blue eyes hide in the frame's finer details—easy to miss on a casual watch but captivating once you spot them.

The song itself stands independently from its visual presentation. Chigire Chau layers textures that reveal new dimensions on repeat listens, making it worth experiencing both with and without the video. Streaming separately first gives the audio time to sink in before returning to the macabre visuals.

XaaXaa—vocalist Kazuki, guitarist Haruga, bassist Reiya, and drummer An—continues their trademark blend of dark aesthetics with intricate musicianship. Chigire Chau is available across all major streaming platforms for those ready to be trapped in their twisted carnival.