It’s been a while since we’ve heard any new music from Zee Avi. The last we heard from the Malaysian singer-songwriter, she was recording “Nightlight”, a children’s cover album produced by Kevin Salem and recorded in Woodstock, New York within a span of just 4 days. The album was released on 22nd April 2014 and made it on the iTunes “Best of 2014 Albums (Children’s Music)” list.
If we were to talk about how she started her music career, the internet discovered her through the self-written songs and cover songs she posted on YouTube. The video sharing platform featured “No Christmas For Me,” a song she wrote and composed before she posted it up on the eve of her 22nd birthday. The next thing she knew, she landed a record deal with a US-based record label (Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records) as well as a publishing deal with Monotone (a management company who represents The White Stripes and The Shins in Los Angeles California).
Once she entered the international music scene, she became one of the musicians chosen to play headline shows at several prestigious music festivals including Borneo’s Rainforest World Music Festival, Australia’s Byron Bay Festival, San Francisco’s Noise Pop, Austin’s South by Southwest, Mountain Jam in New York, Life Is Good in Boston, Lilith Fair, Bonnaroo and Street Scene in San Diego. It’s no wonder that LA up-and-comer Moses Sumney noted in an interview that one of his career highlights was performing a gig with Zee Avi.
Now, if you’re in the mood for some upbeat, jazzy music, try “All The Way Up” by Haute Sound. Featuring Zee Avi, the song is a special collaboration between the songstress and a very good friend of hers, Haute Sound. As compared to Zee Avi’s early recordings, this felt like a step forward for her after earning the Brand Laureate Award for establishing a successful career in the international music scene.
Back in 2009, Flight Facilities’ “Crave You” received worldwide attention for its addictive tune and smooth vocals from Gisele Rosselli. Later in 2014, Skylar Spence (or more commonly known as “Saint Pepsi”) made us fall harder in love with him through his summer jam, “Fiona Coyne“. This year, it’s Haute Sound’s turn to spill out a new groove-tastic track of the year.
We know very little about Haute Sound but people should definitely look out for more feel-good tracks from this up-and-coming producer. Haute Sound made a remix on Zhu’s “Faded“, which we must say is a killer remix. As for “All The Way Up”, the producer took aesthetic cues from dreamy electro pop songs and Zee Avi’s jazzy vocals further gave life and “good time” feeling to this dance jam.
If more feel-good songs or groovy dance tracks like this one will be included in Zee’ Avi’s upcoming album., then we are on board. And we quote, “Don’t be afraid to explore sometimes.”
Listen below:
For more information, visit Haute Sound’s Facebook page or Zee Avi’s Facebook page.