We Plug To You... Yuna - Decorate (EP)

I am proud to announce to you that pluggable GOOD music does not only exist or emanate from Europe and America as the case may seem sometimes, but can and does exist in places and regions we might find the least likely, however ignorant of us to do so. This artist I'm about to introduce you to has indeed come out of Malaysia. Surprised? Yes! Excellent music with deep lyrics born out of real emotion from a sweet and innocent place is what flows from the creative and fertile musical mind of the lady called YUNA.

Yuna Zarai is a 24 year old Muslim soulful songstress whose voice actually reminds me of the likes of Corinne Bailey Rae, Norah Jones and Adele. Underneath the seemingly shy facade and underneath the clothed layers, lies a deep soul expressing herself from a remote and emotional place. A place of need, a place of positivity, a place that brings the best out of a situation even if it is meant to be of hurt and despair. It is a place of submission to fate, believing in the best and Yuna expresses herself from here so refreshingly and beautifully.

Western Pop culture has definitely infiltrated into generation X and Y (or the Millennials as some would call it) in supposedly "third world" countries therefore it is not much of a surprise but still interesting to see a Muslim Asian female sing in a style of music supposedly Western in sound. Recently signed to the FADER label (the label arm of taste-maker blog FADER) alternative Pop singer/songwriter Yuna sings about love and falling in and out of love. She is skillful on her guitar and simple in her vocal delivery. In 2008, Yuna released her self-titled EP in Malaysia and since then, has started to garner some public attention which has now culminated in her first US release - the 5-track 'Decorate' EP.

Her EP's lead song 'Decorate' was released in Malaysia in 2010 and serves as the title track for her US release which was recently launched on March 15, 2011 with the promise of a full album later in the year. On the single 'Decorate', Yuna beautifully speaks of separation and heart break and the feelings that come with it, a love's fire gone out but with the coals still kindling. Many can relate to this... That love/lover you don't want to let go of with hopes that it/they will come back and Yuna helps you to express those feelings better in simple words and the simple chord arrangements in this song.

Listen to 'Decorate':

"I decorate my house with things you like, just in case you show up"

You can't help but wonder if she sings from personal experience. This next song, 'Someone Out of Town' is so close to home. It's that "love at first sight", ooey-gooey strong chemistry you feel with a total stranger or someone you unassumingly pass by at the station or something, 'Someone Out Of Town' maybe? Her vocals are so haunting and real on this one that you feel like you're actually having this experience with her by just simply listening to the song. It incites warm internal gushy feelings you want to hold on to forever... This one has a smooth and almost jazzy feel to it with her harmonies forming largely as the musical backdrop for the entire song.

Enjoy 'Someone out of town':

"I'm in love with someone out of town.....Who is this stranger, I should be scared, could be danger?..."

"In high definition, I'm dreaming of you..." WOW! Yuna gets an A+ for her songwriting on this love song 'Coffee', as with her songwriting dexterity on the entire EP! Gosh, this song pulls at my heart strings so deeply. This song will make you want to fall in love over and over and over again with that special someone. I'd love to sway close to someone special in the coziness of a romantic evening listening to 'Coffee'. Her vocals here are especially well textured, with the melody, lyrics, the piano arrangements, interlude and classical feel all adding to the depth of it. Good music lovers will savor the solitude on this one...

'Coffee':

Last but not least is the song that caught the ears and heart of Fader Label's co-founder Rob Stone and allegedly led to him signing Yuna to the FADER label. As the story goes, he got stuck on the first line of 'Deeper Conversation' - "Is your favorite color blue?" - and still remembers vividly to this day, hearing Yuna's voice sing those lyrics (maybe his favorite color is blue). However, blue doesn't have to be your favorite color or mine to fall absolutely in love with this song. The song is a quest to that lover to open up and be real with you...

Here goes 'Deeper Conversation':

"I've let my guards down for you.... and in time you will too... tell me all your hopes and dreams... take me to a deeper conversation..."

Yuna is definitely a 'jack in the box' of alternative Pop/Soul and certainly a 2011 act to watch out for. Hopefully, the American exposure will help plug her music globally. It is relate-able music at its purest. It's deep, meaningful and most importantly it sounds and feels like the most honest thing you've ever heard. Now who said good things and in this case good music does not come out of unexpected regions. Bye-Bye to stereotypes, Hello Yuna. Give us more of your musical deeper conversations, the world is waiting.

Purchase: Yuna - Decorate (EP) // Decorate EP (Amazon)

Keep Tabs on Yuna: Facebook // Twitter // Myspace

Until the Next Time...

Tosinger