A Jazz-Noir Masterpiece: Mona Lissa Chanda Reigns Supreme in “Queen of Games”
- Editorial Board
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Sultry vocals, retro glamour, and cinematic flair collide in Mona Lissa Chanda’s mesmerizing new single and video.
"Queen of Games" by Mona Lissa Chanda is a spellbinding fusion of retro jazz, soulful pop, and cinematic flair. The track opens with a lush, noir-tinged atmosphere that immediately sets the tone: sultry, mysterious, and emotionally rich.
Chanda’s vocal performance is nothing short of magnetic. Her tone is buttery and expressive, with a delivery that effortlessly glides between playful charm and smoky seduction. It’s the kind of voice that commands a room without raising its volume, capturing the spirit of a jazz lounge chanteuse while remaining firmly rooted in contemporary production.
Lyrically, the song explores themes of romantic pursuit, power dynamics, and the allure of the unattainable. There’s a femme fatale energy that threads through every line, bolstered by a sharp, cinematic arrangement.
The production, crafted alongside Montreal’s Paul Cargnello, balances vintage tones with modern polish: clean guitar lines, smoky brass textures, and a rhythm section that swings with intention but never overpowers.
The music video elevates the entire experience. Styled with bold, retro visuals, artistic expression and rich color grading, it leans heavily into the aesthetics of noir (but colored) cinema and extravagant 60s glam.
Chanda plays the lead like she was born for it, fully embodying the title role as the enigmatic "Queen of Games." The direction is sharp, confident, and visually cohesive, every frame is curated to mirror the song’s elegance and complexity.
Overall, "Queen of Games" is a triumph. It’s more than a song…it’s a full-bodied experience. Chanda proves she’s not just a singer but a great storyteller and a visual artist, capable of crafting a world that listeners won’t want to leave anytime soon.
