Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna makes comeback for local fans

Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE and C. ARUNO

LOS Angeles-based Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna’s newest Malay album since 2017, Masih Yuna, is all about returning to her roots, Utusan Malaysia reported.

The album features her recently released single Menanti along with three new songs – Masih Sunyi, Asing and Camaraderie.

Yuna, whose real name is Yunalis Mat Zara’ai, told The Daily that the new album was aimed at showcasing her Malaysian heritage to her fans after releasing her last Malay song almost seven years ago.

“They asked me what inspired my music. My answer is my childhood in Malaysia and the Malay poem-inspired songs that I heard frequently since I was a child.”

Yuna, 37, said some people had assumed that she no longer wanted to write songs in Malay now that she was abroad.

“Maybe they didn’t know about the music I produced in the US. I think, no matter how good of an English song I produce, it will rarely reach the knowledge of my Malaysian fans.

“Maybe this is why they feel further away from me. So with Masih Yuna, I hope the fans understand that I have never forgotten them,” she said.

The Kedah-born singer said she would continue to write songs in pursuit of her ultimate goal of getting nominated for a Grammy Award one day, adding that she submitted a nomination for the Grammy every year.

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> Kota Baru residents and visitors have been in awe of the golden yellow flowers from angsana trees that carpeted the streets and walkways, Sinar Harian reported.

They have been gathering in a number of areas in town, including Jalan Mahmood and the grounds of the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium, snapping selfies of the unique scene.

Pastry maker Aidil Afizudin Lokman, 23, said it was the first time he witnessed such a picturesque view.

“I live in the Kubang Kerian district and have never seen such an amazing scene,” he said.

Housewife Rosliza Jasmi said that she decided to make a stop on her return journey from her husband’s hometown in Ketereh to their home in Gombak, Selangor, just to take photos.

“I didn’t think Kelantan had such a beautiful view like this. I was very excited. So I took pictures with my children and husband when we passed by the Siti Khadijah market area,” said Rosliza, 37.

The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.