Ray Hou Debuts “I Wake And Remember” EP
Originating from Taiwan, international singer-songwriter Ray Hou is set to release his debut EP, “I Wake And Remember,” on August 9, 2024. Masterfully written and produced by Ray, “I Wake And Remember” seeks to capture an unyielding determination to resist losing precious memories of someone important, regardless of distance, circumstances, or the passage of time.
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| This EP is written as if I’m scoring a film. I hope it helps listeners visualize, or bring back memories that they think have been lost forever. |
| —Ray Hou, Singer-songwriter |
“I Wake And Remember” EP has 4 tracks, showcasing Ray’s innate profession as a film composer, blending delicate vocals with cinematic elements. Through these sounds, Ray attempts to create a visualization of physical and emotional distance.The first track, “Two Birds,” portrays the despairing journey of titular characters facing an inevitable separation. Ray incorporates delicately crafted piano and blends vocals ranging from intimate solos to desperate harmonies, illustrating internal desperation against vast external distances.
Followed by “It’s Been So Long“, the song contrasts its preceding half by building a minimalistic sense of rhythm to the similarly harmonically vocalized and warm-toned arrangement. The narrator seeks to return to a forgotten home, having lost touch with himself over years of searching, only to realize that what he whole-heartedly seeks may be right in front of him.
“A Long Distance Song” follows Ray’s personal experience in a long-distance relationship. The song resonates an unmatched sense of longing and excitement as he travels to see his long-distance girlfriend after a grueling six months, but the wait ultimately proves worthwhile.
The final and title track, “I Wake And Remember,” draws from Ray’s personal experience witnessing his grandmother’s battle with dementia. It portrays how memories can unexpectedly resurface, evoking either intense euphoria or profound sadness. It is sung with a robotic hue, yet gets emotionally intense as memory crawls back – like an inanimate object coming back to life. The song serves as a testament to the unmatched power and will for the ones we love.
Ray’s EP showcases dynamics that can be compared to well-known artists like Wave to Earth, Jacob Collier, grentperez, and Mitski, whose influences can be felt throughout the project. Although Ray has been involved in the music industry for a while, this is his highly anticipated debut EP as a solo artist and composer—definitely something to watch for!
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| I hope this EP calms its listeners, whichever whirlwind they might be going through. |
| —Ray Hou, Singer-songwriter |
Photo credit Ruby Lai