Singer-songwriter Linying releases effervescent new single "Happiness," the final preview of her new EP "House Mouse," out now via Nettwerk. The track arrives with a Michelle Mei-directed video filmed in Siargao, Philippines.
"I had to. The genesis of the song coincided with my discovery of surfing, which has since shaped my entire personal philosophy and creative process. I tried it for the first time on a trip to Siargao where I was on a songwriting trip working with a Filipina artist based there, Nadine Lustre, and the director of the music video, Michelle Mei, was there on the same trip to film the entire recording process," Linying said in an interview with Music Geek.
"We both fell in love with the island, so when it came time to make a music video for Happiness, I knew it had to be with Michelle, and I knew it had to be in Siargao," she added.
"Happiness" is a sonic burst of pure euphoria, rushing forward on pulse-quickening rhythms as Linying channels the thrill of post-breakup freedom.
"I wrote Happiness in a time of immense change and disintegration in my personal life — superficially it's a song about fun and freedom, but it's also about conquering my fear of the future, the sweetness of being present, the comfort of being cared for, and the certainty that all will be well."
"Happiness" follows the EP's previous singles "Porcupine" and "Take Me to Your House."
"The idea of home is definitely at the core of the songs on the EP. In 'Take Me To Your House' I'm in desperate need of it, in 'Creature' I try to find it in someone else, in 'Porcupine' I find it in myself."
On "House Mouse", Linying follows her intuition toward a kaleidoscopic form of dream-pop that's bursting with radiant imagination and heavenly melodies. It's proof of the wild magic that comes from letting go and leaning into your most unfettered impulses. Mainly co-produced with Jon Graber, the EP was recorded at a Los Angeles studio.
"It's definitely the most intuitive and immediate of processes I've employed in music-making, but also the most collaborative. I feel like this has resulted in a sound that's a lot more vibrant than before.
"I made 'House Mouse' with my friends Jon Graber, Jordan Blackmon and Brandon Benson, all of whom come from a variety of backgrounds playing very different genres of music. Graber's in NOFX, Jordan spent a decade playing in Toro Y Moi, and Brandon's in We Are The Union. I'm essentially a bedroom songwriter-producer-singer who's accustomed to working alone and has dabbled in everything from tropical house EDM to indie-electronic folk, which makes for an interesting mix. We're an odd combination but it's magical when we get together and it works, somehow. Most importantly, it's always enjoyable."
Here's more of the interview with the Singaporean singer-songwriter:
What makes Siargao special that you keep coming back?
I'm an extremely sentimental person, and I love a good narrative. Because of how instrumental the island was in my attempt to navigate a season of great personal change, I've grown attached to it, its surf and its beautiful community.
What is your creative and songwriting process?
I pay a lot of attention to the way things feel as I move through life, and it all subconsciously goes into a sort of archive inside me. When I'm in the studio I mess around on chords and when something ignites a strong sense in me, I know it's because it's speaking to a latent feeling waiting to be described, and I try to connect it.
How different is it writing for other artists from writing a song for yourself?
It's a lot less cathartic but it can be just as challenging. A lot of it is listening and unpacking feelings — I can't write something meaningful unless we spend the first few hours talking and going deep into what's been on their mind.
Was there a time you also wished you recorded the song you wrote for other people?
So many — working with artists from a variety of genres means it scratches my itch to live many different musical lives without the commitment, but it's sometimes so much fun that I feel tempted to linger.
How did growing up in Singapore and now being based in Los Angeles influence your music?
Growing up in Singapore has definitely instilled in me a sense of discipline, which through different seasons has served me well. Living in LA has made me a mystic; I know more about manifestation techniques than I would care to. I do enjoy the confluence of the two!
What is music to you?
The sweetest complement to a good life!
What's next for you?
We're recording a new album and I'm enjoying every moment. Savoring it like a peach in peak ripeness!