Taiwan born talent Ray Hou explores memory, distance, and emotion on sweeping collection I Wake and Remember, blending delicate vocals with polished sonics to portray a complex yet cinematic world across four tracks.
From evoking vivid imagery of the aching beauty of separation on melancholic opener “Two Birds,” the EP channels a tone of somber reflection that stretches through the rest of the project.
Next comes the minimal rhythms and warm vocals of “It’s Been So Long,” which captures the essence of returning to oneself after long periods of disconnection. Hou taps into personal experiences of long-distance relationship on “A Long Distance Song,” building on the longing and joy of reunion alongside the intensity of yearning for them.
Finally, the poignant and raw title track which unfolds a vulnerable narrative of Hou’s grandmother’s battle with dementia encapsulates the the fleeting nature of memory, framing moments of past joy with the fear of forgetting.
With a rich and varied sonic journey to push him forward, Hou blurs the line between auditory and visual arts as continues to expand his musical repertoire with his ability to balance expansiveness with intimacy.
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