Play-Asia #2: Winter Tunes

Winter has now fallen upon the Stuyvesant community. Both breathtakingly beautiful and disgusting days of snow under New York City’s belt and below-freezing temperatures have made unfortunately common appearances. Whether it’s joy, excitement, apprehension, or stress that plagues one during this time of year, a good song can be a comfort to all. For this reason, the theme for this issue of Play-Asia is wintery tunes! 

“California Winter”—Dhruv

Born in Britain and of Indian descent, Dhruv is a singer-songwriter celebrated for his unique blend of indie, pop, and R&B. This is showcased on various tracks in his album, Rapunzel (2022). Dhruv fosters a unique sound through his soothing vocals and constantly-changing instrumentals. “California Winter” is the second track on his recently released debut album, Private Blizzard (2024).

“California Winter” illustrates the experience of homesickness and reminiscing on past memories with loved ones. Through juxtaposing two seemingly opposing ideas in its title—sunny California and chilly winter—Dhruv highlights how life might not always go as expected. As Dhruv laments, “Tried falling for you / The more I know you / The less I want to / California,” he reveals his discontent with his current path, instead yearning for some sort of familiar comfort. To Dhruv, this comfort comes in the form of classic holiday scenes such as sitting by the fireplace with the one he loves. 

The song’s emotional depth is underscored by more than just lyrics; strategically placed melodies throughout the song—such as the melody during “The sky’s so blue, so blue”—add an ascendent quality to the song. One’s desires have now entered their imagination. Apart from its relatability, “California Winter” is also simply a fun song to listen to. Due to its changing vocal dynamics, a steady, yet satisfying beat, and a melodically-unique bass line, this song sets itself apart from the generic yearning anthem. Overall, “California Winter” is a beautifully produced track that encapsulates the classic and universal pining for the comfort of loved ones during the holiday season. 

“Sugarplum Elegy”—NIKI

Nicole Zefanya, known professionally as NIKI, is an Indonesian singer-songwriter under the label 88rising—popular for its lineup of successful Asian artists such as Joji. NIKI has made a natural rise to fame, playing guitar in her bedroom from a young age while displaying her captivating vocals. Her most famous songs like“lowkey” and “Every Summertime” exhibit her versatility, though much of her discography is underappreciated. “Sugarplum Elegy” is one of her earlier singles, and it was originally released on YouTube in 2018.

The song begins by painting a picture of a bright and cold winter day, twinkling and enchanting with a whimsical touch reminiscent of a holiday classic—Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” A sense of nostalgia is present as the same fairy-tale-like chime echoes in the background throughout the song. However, as soon as the beat drops, an ominous and almost hauntingly beautiful melody takes the forefront; NIKI mourns the death of her stale romantic relationship, singing, “We keep dancing around the innocent truth that we're just… / Out of time (Ooh) / Must I die before you feel alive?”. This is a poignant realization that they no longer find happiness in each other. “Sugarplum Elegy,” even in its name, is a beautiful harmony of bitter story-telling accompanied by sweet tunes, making it a perfect and unique song for the holiday season.

“Love to Keep Me Warm”—Laufey & dodie

Originally released in December 2021, “Love to Keep Me Warm” is an optimistic and upbeat winter song by Chinese-Icelandic singer Laufey and English singer dodie. Laufey has recently gained widespread popularity thanks to her distinctive jazz-pop style and relatable lyrical themes. Hits like “From the Start” and “Falling Behind” express her intense longing for love—a recurring motif throughout her discography. Laufey celebrates a more positive and cheery take on love through her various Christmas singles and covers, packaged into A Very Laufey Holiday (2022).

In “Love to Keep Me Warm,” Laufey sings about a mellow winter romance with her lover. Her vocals regularly alternate with dodie’s, creating a seamless and sweet harmony with occasional instrumental breaks—reminiscent of Laufey’s signature jazz flair. Their light and melodic vocals reinforce soft Christmas-inspired instrumentals, expressing the singers’ enthusiasm and appreciation they feel for their loved ones. The pair repeatedly sing, “I love the winter weather / ‘Cause I got my love to keep me warm.” The song is relatively simple and short but sufficiently creates a feeling of coziness and brightness that is fit for the chilly weather.