In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I thought it would be fun to feature some of my favorite songs by Asian female artists. As we all know, representation in the media is so important, and I’d love to see these and other Asian artists gain more recognition, especially in mainstream Western music.
Stranger’s Sweater by Emi Choi
In my opinion, this is a perfect simple, chill song. Emi Choi’s voice has a uniquely calm tone that perfectly matches the song’s lyrics. I also love that the song is in 3/4 time since I rarely hear this time signature in pop music.
My Kinda Lovin by CLARA
This catchy song makes me want to get up and dance! CLARA showcases her incredible range in the song’s pre chorus. I like that it has a consistent theme, especially in the bass line, but doesn’t feel repetitive.
Oxytocin by Lila Yin
I love this song’s EDM vibes in the instrumentals and vocals. It’s upbeat enough for a party but still feels a bit relaxed. Listen to the end of the song closely for some interesting subtle harmonies.
XS by Rina Sawayama
This song is full of juxtaposition! It’s a pop song with rock elements and has a 90s feel but still sounds current. However, the most interesting aspect of the song is that its lyrics are a satire that criticize materialism, capitalism, and consumerism. If you like reading song lyrics, I’d also recommend this video where Rina explains the meaning behind the lyrics.
Do You Feel it by Mishal Khawaja and Sickick
Mishal Khawaja’s voice is gorgeous and blends so well with Sickick. As someone who is quite shy and timid, I relate to the lyrics, which exemplify how it feels to be interested in someone but too intimidated to tell them. I also love that the producers seemed to experiment heavily with the instrumentals by including a variety of sounds ranging from classical to distorted.
I hope that if you’re looking for some new songs to add to your playlists, you give these a chance and love them as much as I do!