‘Ukulele virtuoso Brittni Paiva just released “Through the Chaos,” an album which blends electronic, pop and contemporary sounds. Paiva, who was born and raised in Hilo, now calls Oʻahu home. This is her first album in 14 years.
“All of my previous albums did contain a few originals, but mostly covers,” she told Aloha State Daily. “This [album] tells more of a personal story of the things that went on during those 14 years — just learning to be my own person and dealing with not so nice people, and a lot of things like that — even battling mental health and addiction, as well.”
The four-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner released her newest album, “Through the Chaos,” on Friday, Sept. 18. It was co-produced by Paiva and TheBrewz, a production and songwriting team.
It follows her album “Tell You What,” which dropped in 2012. Paiva began working on “Through the Chaos” after touring the world and performing with stars such as Jake Shimabukuro and Carlos Santana.
This weekend, she will play music from her new album in back-to-back concerts, featuring special guests such as Henry Kapono, Kalena and Kalaʻe Parish, and Clara Stegall, one of the Henry Kapono Foundation’s On the Rise Artists for 2026, at Kapono’s at the Lounge in Hawaiʻi Kai. The shows will be at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. Get tickets.
“I really wanted to put all of that into song and share my story with my listeners, and let everybody know ʻHey, music is healing, and this is my story, and I hope it can help you with anything that you're going through as well.’ ”
Paiva was three years old when she started playing classical piano. Eventually, her grandfather gifted her a Kamaka ʻukulele from the 1950s that had belonged to his mother.
“From the moment I picked it up, I was like, ʻYeah, I'm gonna continue playing this.’”
She took lessons for a few years and then eventually stopped to learn on her own. Her first album came out when she was 15 years old.
The recording artist and songwriter’s newest album, “Through the Chaos,” starts with the track “God Mode,” which is named after a cheat code that makes a player invincible to damage in a video game.
“ʻGod Mode’ is a song that I wrote about people saying not nice things to you,” she said. “And it's that moment where you are finally able to let go of those things and realize that they do not affect you. They no longer bother you.”
The song even includes “Shhh,” when she tells the voices saying harmful things to be quiet.
“ʻComment Section’ is another one that people are really liking,” she said. “That one takes the ʻukulele into the drum and bass territory.”
The song is inspired by things people have said in real life and on social media, she said.
“It's kind of an anti-bullying track in a way,” Paiva said.
Other songs on the album have titles, such as “Could Have Been a Mess,” “Say When” and “To the Moon and Back.”
Will readers have to wait another 14 years for the next album?
She laughs.
“We’re just getting started,” Paiva adds.
Available tickets start at $25. Get tickets.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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