Let's get into the recent singles of sora, the rising pop artist of Taiwan

Since his debut album, sora has been gambling on different sounds, influences, and unique, dazzling visuals. We went to find out more about the lyrical and productive world of his songs and the news he has to the fans. The effect is music for the digital generation.

Photographer: Steff Katt

sora is an emerging pop artist who works independently. The 29 years old singer from Taiwan, currently based in New Orleans, LA, talked to My Sweeter Place about his recent singles, projects, and his plans for the future in music.

Since PARAMOUNT, in 2019, his debut album, a lot of music has arrived. The latest project, called VOL.24, isn't an album but a set of songs released once a month. But the initial idea wasn't that. "I worked on PARAMOUNT for over four years before it came out, but I had all of the ideas ready to go in my head. On the other hand, I jokingly called VOL.24 my Carly Rae Jepsen project because I wanted to write as much as I could and then create a cohesive project after the fact", he declares.

However, it turns out that sora thought that he didn't already achieve perfection. "I had not one, but two friends who work in the music industry suggest that, rather than try to complete an album or even an EP, to just release as much music as I can since my career is still in the early stages. So, I just took all of the songs I had mostly completed and restructured the release format, and here we are!"

There are eight songs in all so far, and each release comes with a different genre, aesthetic, and vibe. "I enjoy the music of all sorts, so I wanted to play with some stuff that I may not normally gravitate towards or haven't done yet."

In a quick descriptive overview of what the listeners can expect from each track, we start with "Dance Single," released on 18 June 2021, produced by Jom Donato, and the music video filmed by Sam Morel. And as the title said, it's a feel-good synthpop track that makes people dance. The inspiration behind this song occurred when sora went to see a show. "(...) it was my first time in New York, and I was alone. It felt awkward because I didn't know anyone there except for the band playing, and I don't love doing things by myself, but eventually, I learned to let loose and just have fun."

"So Long As I Got You," is "a funky summer bop that talks about being able to face the world with your loved one(s) by your side." The release came one month later, on July 16, 2021, produced by Benny Haploid.

Moving in to "Over", the track come out on August 20, 2021. It's a cute chill summer track, and it marks the first song that sora produces by itself. The underlying theme is about "(...) rising emotions of a past flame," and Elliot Lakefield mixed it.

Photographer: Steff Katt

"Body Party" was supposed to release in September, right after the Hurricane Ida " (...), but obviously, that was shelved (...), he remembers. The track dropped out on December 31, 2021, and features Synamin Vixen and Laveau Contraire. "This banger is a great way to ring in the New Year or just have a great night out. All we ask is to you let loose and dance hard to this hyper house pop blend tune."

This collaboration happened because the pop singer felt that it needed something extra. "(...) After all, a successful party requires more than one bodies, am I right? (...)" Well, yes, we agree with that.

sora is a founding member of Haus Contraire, a drag/burlesque/performance local of which Laveau Contraire is the mother. "(...) Synamin Vixen and I are founding members as well, so naturally, I went to them both to see if they wanted to be a part of the song, and they both immediately agreed. Laveau wrote her verse, and Syn was in charge of the choreography as well as leading us in the learning process (...)."

The track was written by sora and Sam Morel and mixed by Benny Haploid. Ricardo Betancourt directed the fantastic music video, and the dance team was composed by Lemon, Swish, Olivia, and Tiff. As we can keep seeing through these songs, sora is a dance lover. He always wanted to take proper dance classes "(...) I've taken hip-hop, heels, waacking, pole, even contemporary, and jazz. I'm also into K-Pop, so naturally wanting to incorporate dance into my musical performances was imminent (...)." He has made the choreography before for some of the PARAMOUNT songs ("Only For Tonight," "Bad Decisions," and "Bumble Bumble").

Let's go back again to September 2021, more precisely to the 15th, which is when sora launched "Sugar Pop," the fourth single from VOL.24 (...), the closest to me living my J-Pop fantasy as I can get. Upbeat and super sweet." The track was produced by sora and mixed by Elliot Lakefield and Rusty.

Here's "Baby Blues," from a danceable and energetic song to a smooth R&B one. It was released on November 26, written by sora and Charlie Fisher. The music video was choreographed by Tai Teamer and sora and featured Tia Teamer.

As 2022 has come, sora released "Love Devil," intentionally released it for Valentine's Day, February 14, and he assumes that the song is one of his darkest tracks yet, lyrically and sonically. "We went with a mysterious house setting to back up this 'should I or should I not' storyline."

Photographer: Sam Morel

What news can we expect soon? Will there be a sequel to VOL.24?

"I have a new single coming out soon, called "stop the dream," out on March 18th." The track is written and produced by sora, co-produced, mixed, and mastered by Rusty.

Plus, sora has a few more VOL.24 tracks that he planned for release but don't have a set end date yet. "I have been working pretty hard, and it would be nice to ease up on the craziness, if only for a little bit. But I'll still keep writing and honing my craft so you won't be left waiting for too long."

Reread the first interview with sora and his first works here.

Photographer: Steff Katt