Sky Full of Songs

It's the last day of April! This is so cray cray haha. April feels like a month that pass by really quickly. Like it seems that there's a lot of things that happened in this month but at the same time, things are pretty normal too. Also it is a month which my mind is preoccupied by lots of things. Weird things.

Anyway lets talk about the great music I discovered in this month! Not many, but they're great!

Great Music of April:

- Wander by Mesita

- Future by Mesita 

- Shrine by Mesita

- Re:Member by Olafur Arnalds

- Sanctify by Years and Years

- Sky Full of Song by Florence and The Machine

- New Year's Eve by Pale Waves

- Heavenly by Pale Waves

Song of the month: Re:Member by Olafur Arnalds

Mesita released his new album in end of March I think! And I only get to give it a full listen later on. I think it's a great album! It's definitely an album you need to listen to from start to finish. I think it just gives the album a whole and complete feeling, and another dimension. The songs are awesome though, you can definitely hear "Mesita" in this album. James says he's making more music for the summer and I'm so excited! Love his music really :)

Olafur Arnalds released a new song via a video called Re:Member and I think it's such a beautiful beautiful song! And beautiful video too. I'm very happy to see new music from him! Although he did release some songs for Broadchurch and Kiasmos, it's been 3 years since he released personal album if I'm not wrong. So yes, I am so excited for more new music from Olly!

Years and Years also released their new song Sanctify, for their new upcoming album Palo Santo! I swear the whole thing they did for the release of this song, the album track titles and so on are so creative! Sanctify is such a groove and awesome song to move along to. So glad to see them returning! Also they will be releasing Hypnotised in the album yaaaasssss. Finally.

Giving a surprise return is... Florence and The Machine! I was scrolling through Twitter when I see her post a video of the new song. I thought it was just another collaboration with someone or a brand but it's a new song! And after reading some articles, I found out that she'll be releasing a new album this year! Oh my my I'm so happy. Florence is one of my favourite singers and songwriter! I always look forward to her new music. 2018 is getting better indeed hah.

I actually discovered Pale Waves last year during their introduction in the BBC Introduction channel. I have no idea why I haven't bought their EP heh. Also another band I'm looking forward to hearing more in 2018! I first heard them via New Year's Eve and I fell in love with them right away!

April is an awesome month for music because I discovered that many of my favourite musicians are releasing new music/albums soon! Like Aurora who also released a new song called Queendom this month, and a new album soon. May is going to be an exciting month for me with new album from Chvrches and EP from PREP (Preordered!). Also more new music from Troye, Florence, Aurora and more. I kinda lost track to see who's releasing what, and when haha. Need to keep track!

Alright that's all from me in this Acrobatic April hah. Acrobatic because I feel like I'm running around here and there and my mind is jumping around here and there. I hope things settle down quickly soon. May is here tomorrow. Here's to a Marvelous May for all of us! :)

Louder Than Silence

The North Face of Everest Base Camp in Tibet is one of the quietest places I've been on earth. Yet the view in front of me, and the grandeur of the place, speaks so much louder than the silence I heard.

Taken 25 April 2016. I miss Tibet.

Final Home

So today we commemorated 49 days death anniversary of my late aunt. In tradition, we also usually do a "grave blessing", if you translate it from Indonesian heh. Well basically we just bless the final resting place of my aunt. With the grave walls, writings and carvings finished, her final home is also done. It was my first time being part of this and it's a pretty interesting event I must say!

It's just like the usual prayers at home with food etc, but just done at the grave. And there are also several other practices that I just learn about. Like for example lighting up candles around the grave, releasing birds and fishes, and so on. My aunts and uncle gathered for the prayers and to be honest, it just felt like another gathering at home. Minus my late aunt of course, who's definitely there with us spiritually. I think this is what's interesting about Chinese traditions, these prayers are opportunities for the family to gather. No matter the events - funerals, weddings, death anniversaries etc.

Something really interesting happened today. So to close off the prayers, we ended it by releasing a cage of birds. Not sure what's the purpose of it. But before I released the birds, the master of ceremony (who's my aunt's uncle) asked me to tell my aunt that she can now cross the river. Not sure about this either haha. So during the last few moments of the prayers, it started raining. But after I released the birds, suddenly a few Jacob Ladders (sunrays breaking through clouds) appear in the distance.

I just realised this after I released the birds, and the words that the master of ceremony said to me. Perhaps it's a good sign that my aunt has reached the other side? Hmm.

I know in Tibetan beliefs, if a rainbow appears during the burial/cremation of a Buddhist master, it's a sign that he/she has reached the other side. It's basically an auspicious sign. Not sure about Jacob's Ladder though! I take it as a good sign as well haha. Well aunt, hope you've reached the other side :)

Life is pretty interesting. This world, this planet, this universe, the life we're in right now. I often wonder how more interesting it will be once we leave everything behind. Perhaps that's when we'll understand everything. And this is the reason why we'll never understand life while we're still living.

Blue Skies

 

 On my way to Shigatse

It's April, and it always makes me reminisce about my trip to Tibet back in 2016! Spending spring time in Tibet back two years ago is definitely a highlight of my life. I will never forget that trip. And I'm always longing to go back. Still thinking of the day I will go back to Jokhang again.

Going to Tibet has been a lifelong dream of mine and to have it realised two years ago, of course I'm happy. And I will remember that trip! Tibet is truly a unique place on earth. There is no place like Tibet really. Okay maybe Ladakh is like Tibet, a few of my friends told me.

But well yes, I miss Tibet.

Anyway it's been quite a busy week so far! We had two prayers last weekend, and on Monday. And tomorrow we are commemorating the 49th days after my aunt passed away. In Chinese tradition there are certain days we have to do prayers to commemorate someone's death. 3rd, 7th, 21st (I think), 49th, 100th, one year and 3 years. But if you decided not to do it it's fine too. Just tell the deceased haha.

Okay maybe I should talk about this tomorrow!

It's the end of the month and things get pretty busy and hectic at times. It's so crazy to think April is ending too. 2018 felt like it just began 3 weeks ago haha. Signs of growing up I guess. Alright that's all for now, I will continue tomorrow. Had quite a busy night for two days so I wanna chill tonight hah.

Happy Record Store Day!

 The only RSD release that I own

Shura's Touch single, for RSD 2016!

Thanks Mandy :)

A belated one that is, it's supposed to be yesterday but... RSD usually lasts a weekend right! Haha. So still, a happy Record Store Day to you! Well I couldn't make it for this year's RSD again but it's okay. Like I said last year, I'm still living the minimalist life so yeah. Still sticking to that rule of only buying records that I really really love. If you get what I mean yes.

Anyway it's just another day for me to reflect about music in general. But most importantly, about the joy of collecting physical formats. Well to be honest I think I've been "pausing"  a lot for this year. Maybe also because most of the albums that I've been anticipating this year are not released yet. Most of them coming next month! So yes I'm pretty excited. I've pre-ordered PREP 2nd EP and Chvrches third album, and I can't wait to receive them in my mail :)

So far I've only bought errr.... Let's see, 7 records and 2 CDs this year HAHAHA. Okay that's quite a lot actually. I bought Adele's 19, Best of Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson Thriller and Depeche Mode's Violator. And for this year's releases, First Aid Kit's Ruins, Rhye's Blood and S. Carey A Hundred Acres. More to come this year and yup! Hope to collect more too,

Come to think of it I've actually been collecting CDs for 16 years now! Back to when I was 10, when I came to Singapore to study. I remember I would ask my sister to bring me to HMV. I would spend a good hour there looking through albums, especially in the classical/world music section haha. I love it when they have sales. I remember in P5 there was this "3 CDs for $21" sale rack and I was so spoilt for choices. But well my sister only allowed 3 CDs and no more! Haha.

And that's how I discover more music I guess.

I don't know why, maybe it has become a habit and a hobby. But it's a childhood dream of mine to actually build my own music library when I grow up. And then listen to my favourite albums while I sip some tea at night. Even though yes, I listen to my iPod/Phone more than I listen to my CDs, I just want to collect CDs and other physical formats. And I have no plans to stop.

So yup, Happy Record Store Day, here's to everyone who still believes that music still needs a physical manifestation. And here's to more CDs and Vinyl to come! :P

A Life Remembered

Last night I saw the shocking news of the passing of renowned DJ Avicii. It's such a shock to everyone because well, he's really gone too soon. At the young age of 28. I did read the news of his health which was why he decided to stop touring a couple of years ago. But still it's too unexpected :( 

I'm not a huge follower of Tim's music. But his music has definitely accompanied me through my poly days. Since the first time I discovered him through "Levels", which is a song I always listen to whenever I go for a run, when I train for my 10K race and during the KK days as well! Ever since then I enjoy listening to his music. The lyrics, the beat and everything else is just awesome.

Although I'm not a huge fan of EDM, his music is definitely my "gateway" to the genre. The way he mixes folk, country and others into his music is a pretty refreshing addition to the scene I guess. Which is why I love "Wake Me Up" so much! And also The Nights, Waiting For Love and so on.

2013 was by far the most confusing year I've ever been in. And his song "Wake Me Up" accompanied me through those moments. I even blogged about how that song perfectly sums up my 2013 haha. Especially the line "All this time I was finding myself and I didn't know I was lost".

Well Tim, you have definitely lived a life we will remember. Thank you for the music! Rest easy.

Re:member

I'm currently hooked to this beautiful new song from Olafur Arnalds, titled Re:member! I think it's beautifully moving and just an exhilarating song? I can't really describe it but I feel a sense of euphoria whenever I listen to this song, especially at the 2:36 mark when the piano picks up.

Olafur says that to him, the title of the song means "to become with one-self again" (or something along the line). I think this is depicted in the video. I feel that the guy sort of "lost" himself on purpose for the sake of being accepted by the others. Only to realise that at the end of the day, he was hurting himself in the process. This is why I think they show the gunshot wound. Even though he was shot using a bulletproof vest earlier in the video.

So in a way he thought "losing himself" isn't going to hurt him. This is depicted by him not injured after being shot while wearing the vest. But in the end, he did realise he hurt himself! I think this is a beautiful video and story too. And the song kinda depicts the whole scenario beautifully.

I am very happy and excited to find out that Olafur has released a new song. Been expecting some new music from him! Cause he did tease a bit here and there on his Instagram about new music. This song sounds really promising and I can't wait to hear more new music from him :D

Anyway lots of new, wonderful music are released recently! Or some are being released haha. There's Florence and The Machine "Sky Full of Songs". I am so surprised and happy to see new music from her! Then there's Olafur, and then Aurora with "Queendom" which is a very exciting and uplifting song. And just last night, I heard Favela's new song from his upcoming new album "Community" titled "Medals" from the BBC Radio One Chillest show with Phil Taggart!

And oh my goodness. It is such a good song! I am so excited for his new album now.

2018 is shaping to be an awesome year for music. Perhaps even better than 2017 maybe? Lots of surprise releases so I'm pretty stoked. Alright, that's all from me now. Here's to more music!