(August 21, 2026) For the past few months, legendary singer Chaka Khan has been giving sneak peeks of her upcoming album, Chakzilla, but none of the songs have been as interesting as her newest, “Curious Subject.” Again collaborating with pop star Sia as well as songwriter-producer Greg Kurstin, Khan delivers a song that is an enigma shrouded in a mystery.
Musically, “Curious” combines cutting edge keyboard work with a four on the floor beat and jazzy underpinnings. It is one of the most compelling arrangements that Chaka has used in years, and it works beautifully under her familiar vocal phrasing.
Lyrically, the song reveals the layers of a performer who is both complicated and compelling:
My therapist, my friends, they say I got a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot going on
They tell me, they tell me, they tell me that I’m a curious subject.
Listeners who just want “a nice beat, and I can dance to it,” will find something here, but those who want more will enjoy the lovely layers of unexpected elements that the songs bring together. Check it out below.
By Chris Rizik
