Dazed Mix: Merry Lamb Lamb
The Hong Kong-born, London-based artist shares a list of songs to ‘seize the winter blues’
Illustration Jethro Nepomuceno
Merry Lamb Lamb makes music that feels like a late-night drive – something whispered, spacey, and sparse. The Hong Kong-born, London-based artist arrived on the scene with her debut album Genesis last year, where she sang about feeling lonely against lo-fi beats, transitioning effortlessly between English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Having first appeared on a Chinese talent competition Rave Now in 2018, she can also be recognised for her colourful presence across social media, which has led her to campaigns and collabs with the likes of Gucci, Chanel and Acne Studios.
Her follow-up EP Exodus takes a more cerebral approach, through introspective, club-ready beats – think the breezy quality of early Grimes together with Yaeji and Sassy 009. Inspired by the “pessimistic” feelings she experienced over lockdown, the record sounds both insular and bubbly; slow-paced yet rhythmic. “Nothing makes sense to me,” she explains. “When I was writing this EP, [I felt] God is somehow here to prepare something big for me to be courageous and honest, like what God did to Moses.”
For her exclusive Dazed Mix, Merry Lamb Lamb shares “a list of songs to seize the winter blues, feel energised, and groove at home with a glass of natural wine or orange juice”.
Congrats on Exodus. Can you speak a little about the album? What are some of the main inspirations behind it?
Merry Lamb Lamb: Every time I write an EP or an album, I feel like I’m always ‘on the journey’ with it. In my first album Genesis, I wanted to reflect on my past. I used to have a hard time opening up myself to people. I was bullied hard during high school, and when I started to become Merry Lamb Lamb, I was always hiding [myself] to be confident in front of people. There was a turning point when I went to Shanghai for a music reality show. I realised I got clouded by fame instead of my love of music. It was also an essential process for me during that time to accept my loveable side.
As for Exodus, I think it was picked up from where Genesis started. After releasing Genesis, I always prayed to God and asked, ‘What is next? Where is the next step or dream that you wanted me to achieve in life?’ I knew deep down they were not random thoughts that came out of nowhere; these were questions I’d been longing for, and I wanted an answer.
And one day, it came out of the blue. An image came into my head: the story of Exodus. I remember it is a concrete image of Moses bringing everyone from Egypt to Israel to search for their new home and utopian dream. And It became clear that I wanted to have Exodus as a theme, and the name for my new EP.
What’s the thinking behind the album name?
Merry Lamb Lamb: I think ‘Exodus’ means a road out from past failures without knowing what will happen next. Being brave and moving forward, honestly and faithfully with every step, is what I want to bring through this EP.
What would you say are some of your most formative musical experiences? Have they influenced your sound at all?
Merry Lamb Lamb: Grimes’ early live performances blew me away. Although I haven’t seen her live IRL before, I would always watch online and [marvel at] how she manages to do everything herself on stage. Her way of performing is so carefree and wild. It influenced me a lot. After watching a couple of her live videos, I started working on my performance set-up with my partner, Lung, my creative director, who also performs with me on stage. We do everything together, from music jamming on Ableton to turning 4-bar loops into variables and turning them into songs. He adds a third point of view to my music.
Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Merry Lamb Lamb: Growing up, I was inspired by my big cousin, who’s ten years older than me. I’d follow what she listened to, what she wore, and what she thought was excellent to own. I listened to a lot of J-pop, J-anime, and J-electronica music growing up. People like Namie Amuro, SPEED, and Perfume opened my eyes to music. They are very magical to watch, almost out-of-this-world. They’re sounds that I didn’t consider as sounds, more like whips of magic, very cotton candy-like and unexpected.
The worst advice you’ve ever been given?
Merry Lamb Lamb: This is very sad, but I think I had the worst advice from my mom growing up [laughs]. She never liked me to be the odd one out at school and always wanted me to participate more. She even commented on my appearance: I had tired, tiny eyes and a prominent forehead. She would tell the hairdresser to cut heavy bangs for me to cover it up. As I grew older, my bangs were my shield. When I first started Merry Lamb Lamb, she was very sceptical and opposed to it, and she would tell me: ‘Being different is weird’.
If I had thought of changing myself because I’m weird, I would never be able to be who I am today. And I truly thank God I didn’t take the advice from her, because being the same as the others is boring and meaningless. I’ll be just drifting on a street without a purpose.
And the best advice?
Merry Lamb Lamb: I saw this quote the other day by a well-known Hong Kong actor, Steven Ma, who has been in the business for over 20 years: “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and expect nothing.”
I used to be so ambitious and wanted to do everything because I always had the underlying fear that I didn’t have much time left in life. But failing for a bit isn’t a bad thing at all, because if you don’t make mistakes, you won’t be able to learn from them and grow more mature as a human being.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Merry Lamb Lamb: I’m currently listening to ”Drifter” by Anthony Naples. Because I am in my winter mood right now, ambient music urges me to feel relaxed and reminisce about the year.
Tell us about your Dazed Mix.
Merry Lamb Lamb: My Merry Lamb Lamb Dazed Mix is a collection of songs I’ve loved recently. I also called it a ‘winter alone shower banger mix’. They are a list of songs to seize the winter blues, feel energised, and groove at home with a glass of natural wine or orange juice. Some of my favourites include Louke Man, TEED, Perfume and Shinichi Osawa Big Ever, who are all part of this mix. And I love how the whole mix transitions from sentimental satire into a 2-step bass-heavy subtle club vibe. It’s an easy listening mix you can put on when commuting to work or school, or simply staying in bed to relax and have a good time.
Tracklist
Merry Lamb Lamb - “Empathy”
Louke Man - “Pulled Apart”
Facta, Dorisburg - “Ditto” (Dorisburg Remix)
Bolam - “Flabbergaster”
Leonce - “Penetration Testing”
Big Ever - “Nature”
Lowderz - “Dalecon”
DJ Hedoni£t - ”Untitled #1”
TEED - “Never Seen You Dance Remix”
Perfume - “Spring of Life” (Level3-mix)
WK7 - “Rhythm (Power Snap Mix)”
TAFKAMP, Irv Da Perv - “Why U Wanna Playa Hate”
Spray - “Posture (Correction Mix)”
Dauwd - “The Yuzer”
Amaliah - “T-Siren”
Mr. Ho - “Exxperience (Revist)”
Tzusing - “Residual Stress”
Shinichi Osawa, Paul Chambers - “Singapore Madness”
