KUN's What A Day: A Broadway-Style Tribute to Traditional Pop

Cai Xukun (KUN) has jubilantly returned with a Broadway-style music video for his single “What A Day,” featuring a sound reminiscent of the early days of Traditional Pop. This style of music, pre-dating the advent of rock and roll in the 1950s, featured a prominent vocalist supported by an orchestra or skilled small band. KUN’s track delivers this exact kind of retro performance, offering listeners a dose of joyful rebellion wrapped in a classic package. The song's warm, vintage aesthetic, bright bass, and mellow sound of the cassette recording trades the sharpness of digital music for a timeless glamour and sophistication, evocative of both Broadway romance and Elvis's classic swing.

What elevates “What A Day” beyond a tribute is its remarkable production story. The track was reportedly recorded entirely in a single, continuous take, straight to tape. The artist shared on Instagram that this zero-edit method aimed to bottle the exhilarating live energy he experienced during his performance at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. This technique forgoes the precision of a multi-track, edited studio recording in favor of a raw, electrified feeling. This unique approach underscores KUN’s courage to push the artistic envelope. By embracing a risky recording method, KUN cements "What A Day" as a mirror of life's zero-redo policy; every note, like every moment, must land with conviction.

The track opens with a joyous drumbeat. In the accompanying visual, KUN appears laying on a bed, looking suave in his suit and briefcase. He is watching TV, which displays the song's title on the screen. He glances at it broodingly until he decides to lift off the mattress and walk out the door into a theatrical setting where everyone animates to his every move. KUN croons over the jazzy soundscape characterized by an upbeat rythym:

“I got the world in my pocket, everything’s possible today.”

As this lyric rings out, a man bumps into KUN, displaying clear hostility. KUN meets the minor confrontation with cool indifference, offering a dismissive shrug that signifies he has already let it go. Nothing will ruin his day. The female backup vocalists who harmonize with “possible” serve as positive reinforcements that yes, everything is possible today! “When I’m down, feeling low” is punctuated by a quirky synthesizer hit that symbolizes an unexpected speed bump. He moves on with, “sometimes that’s just how it goes,” continuing to sing in acceptance of whatever today throws at him. Rather than fearing the unknown, he celebrates and bathes in the uncertainty. This song is about treating each rainfall like a sunshower; instead of feeling soaked to the bone in despair, one can view it as a sort of cleansing and new license on life.

“But it won’t be forever, tomorrow’s a brand new day,”

he sings as trumpets sonically greet him to signal the new day. Still, he takes the chance to ask, “Hey! Can I say? I’m just hoping that the sun won’t go away.” With everything feeling so fresh and alive, KUN yearns to keep this euphoric day going.

"What a ride, what a life, what a day.”

I love when he sings, “Gotta scream, gotta shout, I just gotta let it out!” because sometimes when a day is that good, you really do have to scream. The thrills of being alive are so vivid that that they move every fiber of your being to express such exhilaration, whether through gesture or vocal choreography.

The accompanying music video visually confirms a profound thematic evolution for the artist. It’s a bright, energetic contrast to the darker tones of KUN’s previous works like “Deadman” and “Jasmine,” which dealt with themes of heartbreak and existential loneliness.

The new KUN is demonstrably in love with life itself, echoing his statement in our V13 interview about “constantly updating” himself. His performance is a masterclass in classic showmanship, with dance moves that glimmer with the storytelling and tap-dance prowess of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, all while infused with the subtle bluesy hints of Elvis Presley. He moves with a carefree, infectious joy, evoking the spirit of Gene Kelly’s iconic Singing’ in the Rain. 

A concept photo for "What A Day". Courtesy of KUN's Instagram.

The video is filled with signature KUN elements, from his deep baritone and a vintage three-piece suit to his characteristic grooves, but the energy is fundamentally shifted. His choreography is a masterclass in controlled, yet unapologetic bliss, recalling the effortless cool of classic Hollywood showmanship.

The emotional peak arrives during the bridge with a soulful, almost gospel build-up. In a brilliant sequence, KUN initiates a human telephone chain to pass along the bridge’s hopeful message:

“it’s gon be alright, we gon be just fine.”

This moment signifies KUN sharing hard-won wisdom, realizing the trick to a good day is changing your mindset. The entire sequence builds to an electric energy as a chorus joins in, confirming his optimistic message.

The scene transitions into a lively '50s-style diner. Here, we find KUN dancing atop tables with a bouncy choreography characterized by natural groove and old-time flair. The shot segues to KUN walking down a mirrored stairwell. This final visual suggests each step is a new day, which reflects the light and happiness the artist chooses to give it. The music cuts out for a beautiful, raw final belt of "What a life!" as the instruments slowly return, capping off an unforgettable vocal performance.

In an era defined by technology and digital perfection, KUN’s unfiltered art stands out as a tangible masterpiece. As a superstar of his caliber, KUN holds the key to the highest-tech equipment and digitized instruments one can find. Still, he purposefully looks to the past for clues on how to be quintessentially human, actively choosing real-life connection over computer precision. KUN thrives on immediate feedback loops between him and his talented band, filling in the silence with live music emanating from his soul and into the mic. This commitment to the organic, human element is what makes “What A Day” so tantalizing and genuine.

With such a vibrant and meaningful release, this single signals a new, brighter chapter for KUN. “What a Day” it’s been with this release, and what a day it will be when his long-awaited album is the next to dance down the city streets, carrying the same whimsy.

courtesy of KUN's Instagram.