Reimagining Chappell Roan's 'Pink Pony Club' as a Jazz song
Pink Pony Club's emotional tone shifts from a synth-pop firework to a smoky serenade filled with soulful depth.
Is it really possible to transform Chappell Roan’s multi-platinum, chart-topping synth-pop anthem 'Pink Pony Club' into a jazz-infused slow jam? That was the exact creative challenge we set for London-based musician and multi-instrumentalist Rashaan Brown during his recent visit to ROLI Studios. Watch as he transforms one of the most recognisable pop hits with modern-day jazz flair using ROLI Piano and Airwave.
First, Rashaan works out the song’s chord structure. When reinterpreting a song, he notes that the most important element to listen for is the constant tonic note. In the case of ‘Pink Pony Club’, this is F#, which rings throughout the track. He then follows the chords within the scale, using a 1–2–6–4 progression as the foundation for his jazz-infused arrangement.
Pop chords often stick to major and minor shapes with little variation or extensions that leave room for tension. This is where Rashaan finds an opportunity to bring some of the hallmarks of the jazz genre to the song. “Playing jazz, we like to add more notes and make it sound more exotic and extravagant,” he explains.
As Rashaan records with ROLI Piano, he adds subtle modulation with his chords and expressive flourishes. During the process, he discovers happy accidents in “reharming,” such as changing the fourth chord from B major to E major. He then layers a bass line on ROLI Piano and reaches for Airwave to add a solo section. The expressive capabilities of ROLI Piano gain new depth as Airwave contributes modulation, pitch bends, and glides, culminating in an emotive and poignant synth lead solo.
Rashaan’s reinterpretation shows just how far ROLI Piano and Airwave can take a performance. Using multidimensional expression, he shapes every note with subtle vibrato, pressure-controlled swells, and delicate pitch variations in mid-air, giving chords and synth melodies an organic quality. Gliding through single-line phrases as he balances respect for the original with bold jazz twists is inspiring. 'Pink Pony Club''s emotional tone shifts from a synth-pop firework to a smoky serenade filled with soulful depth. It’s a perfect example of how expressive instruments can transform a familiar song into something entirely new.
Ready to transform your music in more ways than you could ever imagine this year? Discover ROLI Piano and Airwave and unlock new dimensions of sound.
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