House Parties - EP (1st September 2023)

Singer-songwriter aeriqah returns with her much-awaited indie-folk/soul 3-track EP, “House Parties.” The collection delves into themes of found family, closure and nostalgia experienced through the lens of an unforgettable night out with friends.

The EP presents a compelling selection of songs penned and performed by aeriqah, developed over a span of three years. As she put the pieces together, she recognized the thread that tied them all together. In collaboration with producer Tim De Cotta, the music was skilfully arranged, with Tim also contributing his bass and acoustic guitar skills to the EP. Additionally, the record features the talents of Redwan Hamzah, responsible for arranging the strings and electric guitar on all three tracks. Party Trick features fellow singer-songwriter KHAi on backup vocals and the closing track of the EP, Amusing, showcases Josiah Suthan on drums and percussion.

The opening track, “Orion’s Apartment”, takes us through the narrative of a New Year’s party, portrayed as a moment of resolution. aeriqah sings fondly about delirious laughter with new friends and getting to dress up. The recurring words “all in good time” serve as an ode to trusting the process. In her own words, “I find closure to be in the simple moments, as opposed to the grand ones.”

In the second track, “Party Trick,” aeriqah writes about the sensation of dissociation and the struggle to contain a downward spiral during a party. She portrays herself as a magician of sorts amidst a disappearing act, allowing listeners a glimpse into the disorienting dance between reality and detachment. Yet, as with most of aeriqah’s songwriting, there is a silver lining- no matter how lonely it can feel, we are loved through it all. The closing verse speaks of someone guiding her to a car, repeating the reassuring words “I’ve got you, I’ve got you, you’ll be home soon,” setting the stage for the final song of the EP.

In the closing track, "Amusing," aeriqah reflects on a late-night conversation with a friend in the back of a taxi. She reveals that there's a unique quality to those post-midnight moments when exhaustion takes over, compelling her to share all her deepest secrets. Through this song, she contemplates loneliness, loves from chapters past, and who she was at 21. Nostalgia, both painful and comforting, becomes a central theme. Writing this song became aeriqah's endeavor to embrace and reconcile the conflicting emotions within herself, accepting them as an integral part of her journey.

Ultimately, “House Parties” not only demonstrates aeriqah’s proficiency as a storyteller but also serves as a testament to her artistic growth and versatility as a vocalist. Through these deeply personal songs, she establishes a strong connection with her audience, inviting them to share in her most intimate thoughts and emotions. This EP is not just a collection of songs; it is a profound exploration of the past and present, revealing where we have been and where we currently find ourselves.

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Party Trick (18 August 2023)

Dive into the vulnerable and introspective world of singer-songwriter aeriqah as she unveils her latest single, "Party Trick," the captivating prelude to her upcoming EP release. This emotionally charged track features Redwan Hamzah on electric guitar and strings, acoustic guitar and production by Tim De Cotta and KHAi on backup vocals.

In this evocative track, aeriqah depicts herself as a magician of sorts amidst a disappearing act as an analogy for dissociating and feeling out of place. She offers listeners a glimpse into the disorienting dance between reality and detachment, giving language to the often-unspoken experience of loneliness and panic attacks. Yet, as with most of aeriqah’s songwriting, there is a silver lining- no matter how lonely it can feel, we are loved through it all.

At its heart, “Party Trick” is a reminder that love can be as simple as being by someone’s side.

Listen to ‘Party Trick’

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Orion’s Apartment (26 May 2023)

aeriqah is back after her debut album with a new single, Orion’s Apartment. This heartfelt tune features aeriqah’s tender vocals over an acoustic guitar, ambient soundscapes played by Redwan Hamzah and production by Tim De Cotta.

aeriqah narrates a new years party and paints it as a moment of closure. She sings the words “all in good time” repeatedly throughout the song as an ode to trusting the process. Written over the span of 2 years, the heart of the song was revealed to aeriqah as she uncovered patience and love within herself. The song also celebrates found family- the ones we have loved for years and the ones we have yet to meet.

At its core, Orion’s Apartment is a love letter to time and friendship.

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rain in the summer (10 February 2023)

Singaporean pop artiste Dominic Chin returns this Valentine’s Day with a new emotional single about love, rain in the summer.

The song is a romantic duet with fellow singer-songwriter aeriqah, who co-wrote the song with Dominic as a vow to always choose love - even if the rest of the world disagrees.

The pair were inspired by first-hand experiences of being in relationships that others frown upon.

Starting with just an acoustic guitar riff, the song’s arrangement builds up gradually to a delicate refrain with minimalistic synths and a gentle electro-pop beat, lending the track an intimate and soulful sound that is perfect for your rainy-emo-lofi playlists.

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All We Have - Debut Album (19 August 2022)

aeriqah’s debut album, All We Have, supported by the National Arts Council, documents the cycle of loving and losing in stages. Exploring the vulnerabilities that come with forming new connections, aeriqah embraces the tender moments as much as she does the confusing ones in this 9 track album. Listeners go on a journey from infatuation-filled beginnings to bittersweet ends.

The album features songs written and performed by aeriqah; the oldest one, dating all the way back to 2017. Featured in the record is also an interlude of a documented conversation between aeriqah and Tim De Cotta, who produced the songs. Tim sings backup vocals, plays bass and guitar for some tracks and alongside him are musicians like NAzTyKeys on keys, Josiah Suthan on drums & percussion, Leo Goh and Vishaal Raj Giri on guitar. On the album is also Maybe, a song featuring singer/songwriter Umar Sirhan on both vocals and guitar, which was released as a single back in June. aeriqah describes herself as a “singer/songwriter in a post genre world” and this debut album is an example of just that. The collection of songs ranges from groovy, PJ Morton-inspired arrangements in Déjà Vu to piano ballad, One More, Then I’ll Go, and mellow choral parts in Happy Anniversary. Scattered across most of the songs are foley and sound design that ultimately tell a story of love, heartache and closure.

All We Have, by aeriqah, is an ode to the lessons in love we will keep learning again and again.

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You & Me (8 July 2022)

aeriqah is back with her second single, called “You & Me”, off her upcoming debut album, supported by the National Arts Council and produced by Tim De Cotta.

aeriqah describes “You & Me” as having been written by her subconscious, born out of the desperate need to confess a truth. The words “I love you” are repeated a few times in the lyrics, yet aeriqah does not believe “You & Me” is a love song. The way she sees it now, years after having written it, it is a piece that depicts a destructive longing and craving for another person.

“You & Me” is a piece on coming to terms with how messiness and simplicity can both coexist in love.

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Maybe (10 June 2022)

aeriqah is back with her first single, called “Maybe”, off her upcoming debut album, supported by the National Arts Council and produced by Tim De Cotta.

This song is a melancholic duet, featuring singer/songwriter, Umar Sirhan. The two take turns singing gently over the consistent plucking of an acoustic guitar with electric guitar lines played by Umar.

Written from a place of hope in 2017, the meaning behind “Maybe” has evolved just as aeriqah has over the years. In this song, she learns to make peace with exploring questions about the people in her life, while knowing they might never be answered. It is bittersweet, yet necessary, to love anyway even if it is not for forever. It is natural to silently hope for a different ending, even if it is unclear.

At its core, “Maybe” is a piece about the unpredictable nature of life and embracing the people we meet along the way.

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Watch the lyric video

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All That Matters (29 April 2022)

In moments of isolation, it can easily seem like we’re losing our grip on the world and have no control. “All That Matters” is a song in which aeriqah documents a dissociative state- in knowing the world is still spinning, yet somehow not being present in it. 

When we feel behind or break down, it is sobering to realise we are not solely at fault. The systems in place, the people in our lives and unfortunate happenings can build up and make us feel like it’s on us for not handling things well enough. This song conveys that at any given point, we are doing the best with what we have. 

Towards the end of the song, a crowd sings “one day at a time. Just take it one step at a time”, which is a reminder that we heal best in community and are never as lonely as we feel.

Stream  ‘All That Matters’

Watch the lyric video

Where or When (28 January 2022)

To look back on a year gone by can be bittersweet. “Where or When” paints a picture of nostalgia- in all of its love, loss and hope. This song is aeriqah’s way of proclaiming that our experiences are sacred because they’re ours. She also explores other-worldly questions like “who could we be in another universe, and who would we be to each other?”

When people come in and out of our lives, it is comforting to hold on to the idea that our stories together are not yet finished. This song suggests that maybe that is just fine-that there is space within us to think of people who have left, fondly, just as long as we keep moving.

At its heart, “Where or When” is about how we shape our own closure and come to trust the road we’re on.

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Watch the lyric video

Artwork by aeriqah

Writing, Vocals, Co-Arranger: Aeriqah Chang

Producer, Co-Arranger, Guitars, Bass: Tim De Cotta

Drums, Percussion: Josiah Suthan

Keys: Andreaz Rozario

Call Out (23 July 2021)

Told through the lens of a friend left in the dark, “Call Out” captures a state of disappointment and loss, with an underlying sense of empathy. In this tune, aeriqah lets listeners in on a hypothetical voicemail in which she calls a friend up to confront them.

It’s important that we hold the ones we love accountable, and communicate when they’ve hurt us. Yet, waiting too long to do it might also cause more harm. This song captures the resentment that builds up when we wait until we burst to express how we feel; and how the more we push others, the more they back away. For most of this song, aeriqah stands on a moral high ground, believing that her “saying it how it is” is justified, no matter how harsh. By the end, she finds some kindness within and learns- she cannot change people.

Ultimately, “Call Out” is about the tendency to run from our fears and how that impacts our relationships. It acknowledges the craving for space, along with the consequences of straying too far.

Listen to ‘Call Out’

Watch the Official Video

re:discovery (8th January 2020)

Tasked with creating an original song taking inspiration from Singapore in 1819 and Urban music, aeriqah was immediately thrown out of her comfort zone. Urban was not a genre she was familiar with and although self doubt crept in, it quickly faded once she started writing as established artist, Sezairi and the producers at Zendyll Records affirmed her songwriting talent.

Her debut single, re:discovery, draws parallels between 1819 Singapore and her exploration of self-identity and ancestry, touching on lost identity and the journey to finding her own roots. It explores how our racial and ethnic identities have evolved. The track’s dynamics and thought-provoking lyrics are sure to start the listeners on a journey of their own self-reflection.

Listen to ‘re:discovery’

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Contact:

aeriqah.c@gmail.com

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