Chinese American Bear is set to release their sophomore album, ‘Wah!!!’, on October 18 via Moshi Moshi. The Seattle-based duo, comprised of married musicians Anne Tong and Bryce Barsten, crafts a sound that masterfully blends Chinese mando-pop influences with the Western indie pop tradition. Their music effortlessly transitions between English and Mandarin, capturing a unique spirit of cross-cultural joy and longing. The result is a poignant, yet always playful, musical experience.
Anne Tong’s personal journey, having moved to the U.S. during elementary school, informs much of the album’s emotional depth. Growing up, Tong navigated a complex relationship with her Chinese heritage. While she spoke some Chinese at home, she often felt self-conscious about using it in public. “Kids of immigrants often just want to fit in, to assimilate, especially in school,” Tong reflects. “Japan really exported their culture in the ’90s, and in the last 10 to 15 years, Korean culture has become huge. But we’ve heard from so many fans that hearing me sing in Chinese has made them feel proud to speak Chinese for the first time.”
The album’s earlier singles have explored Tong’s heritage in various ways, and today, the band unveils a new track, “Take Me To Beijing (一起回北京).” This song, with its beautifully raw emotionality, directly addresses the tensions and nuances of Tong’s experience as a child of immigrants, further solidifying Chinese American Bear’s place as a bridge between cultural worlds through their evocative, heartfelt music. Check out “Take Me To Bejing”