About this item

C.A.R. (Choosing Acronyms Randomly) is the musical project of Chloé Raunet, a Canadian-born, London-based artist known for her icy synths, warm vocals, and leftfield pop sensibility. Drawing from post-punk, electro, and experimental songwriting, she creates music that’s both emotionally charged and sonically adventurous.

Following a five-year hiatus, C.A.R. returns with "Shyana", the first single from her long-awaited fourth album, "Dance at Oscar’s". Produced by Nathan Ridley, the release marks a creative rebirth: a new label, a new live formation with Joni Green, and a sound pulsing with revitalised energy. After a pandemic-induced break to focus on filmmaking — and a period of burnout and disillusionment — Raunet was ready to walk away from music altogether. But a pair of carried-over festival dates and an impromptu onstage reunion with longtime friend Joni Green unexpectedly reignited the spark. What was meant to be a farewell became the start of something new.

"Shyana" is a shimmering slice of machine-funk — a warped and groovy tribute to Paul Anka, filtered through C.A.R.’s surreal pop lens. A meditation on teen hysteria, pop manufacture, and the strange alchemy of early fame, the track pulses with wonky elegance and strutting confidence. One of the most playful cuts from "Dance at Oscar’s", it showcases Nathan Ridley’s tight, swaggering production while capturing the album’s embrace of movement, humour, and the weirdness of cultural nostalgia.

On the B-side, "Cecilia Road" offers a more reflective counterpoint — a nostalgic, synth-drenched ballad built around a call-and-response vocal, throbbing melodies, and emotional tension. Intimate yet expansive, it hints at vulnerability without losing the pulse.

Artwork by Chloé Raunet, Craig Richards and Oliver Hupfau.

Credits
Rupert Cross – Synths, production
Joni Green – Live performance, energy generator, chaos coordinator
Chloé Raunet – Vocals, synths, production
Nathan Ridley – Synths, drums, bass, percussion, production

Artwork by Chloé Raunet, Craig Richards and Oliver Hupfau

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Interesting 7" curio from Craig Richard's The Nothing Special label. Soaring synth-(pop?) greatness on side A with a glitchy, vocal, Villalobos-friendly house track on side B.

TRACK LISTING

A. Shyana
B. Cecilia Road