Track-by-Track: Ray Hou Scores Listeners’ Solid Determination in ‘I Wake and Remember’

Ray Hou, a talented singer-songwriter from Taiwan, is making waves in the international music scene with the release of his debut EP, I Wake and Remember. Known for his work as a film composer, Ray steps into the spotlight as a solo artist, bringing his unique blend of cinematic elements and delicate vocals to a project that delves deep into themes of memory, distance, and emotional resilience.

I Wake And Remember is a masterful exploration of the human experience, wrapped in a tapestry of sound that is both intimate and expansive. With four tracks that showcase his expertise as a film composer, Ray created a project that not only highlights his delicate vocal delivery but also his ability to weave cinematic elements into his music. The EP captures an unyielding determination to hold on to precious memories, no matter the distance or passage of time.

Drawing inspiration from renowned artists like Wave to Earth, Jacob Collier, grentperez, and Mitski, Ray’s EP resonates with a dynamic quality that feels familiar and fresh. Although he has been a part of the music industry for some time, I Wake and Remember marks his highly anticipated debut as a solo artist and composer. Being an artist undoubtedly “to watch for,” Ray Hou strips the EP Track-by-Track with us.

1. “Two Birds”

“I had doubts about whether to start my EP with a slow-paced piece of music. But there’s no better song to set the tone and emulate a cinematic landscape of distance and memory than ‘Two Birds.’ This song blends intimate and grand vocals, with a solid mix of piano and pads beneath them. It plays with the pulling and stretching of rhythm all the way through to the end. The song itself offers the narrator calmness despite a despairing situation. This hopefully translates to the listener, who can sit down, breathe, and immerse themselves in both closeness and vastness.”

2. “It’s Been So Long”

“This song is a direct continuation of ‘Two Birds.’ I wanted the mood to incur the same sense of serenity but with a hint of lightheartedness. ‘It’s Been So Long’ contrasts its preceding half by building a minimalistic rhythm to a warm-toned arrangement, and attempts to create a jarring yet removed epiphany in the act of realization, the realization that one might be looking for something they already whole-heartedly possess. It is yet another battle with time and memory.”

3. “A Long Distance Song”

“Prior to the finale, I wanted to offer the listener a song more relatable. ‘A Long Distance Song’ was written for a friend a few years back who was in a long-distance relationship. Yet the roles are reversed as now I am in one as well! The music features a chill, R&B pop type of styling and a soft, longing voice. Going through six months, and even years without your other half takes a resolved act of faith and trust. I hope this song finds its way to individuals like me and lets them know that: It’s worth the wait.”

4. “I Wake and Remember”

“The finale of this EP is presented in the form of a pyramid, similar to how a novel is written. This particular song form is chosen to represent a story, which is what this EP is meant to be. ‘I Wake And Remember’ is made up of four sections, emulating a real-time piecing together of a memory. This song was born out of observations regarding my dementia-ridden grandmother.

“Years of observing her made me realize that from time to time, some memory unexplainably drops into her mind, allowing her to grasp and remember the dearest parts of her life. She stares at everyone else with hollowness, yet at my grandfather with intent. He’s the only person she consistently smiles at and looks for, even though she may have no idea who he is anymore. It is a song that illustrates a testament to the unmatched power and will of the ones we love. (Video coming soon.)”

Ray Hou ‘I Wake and Remember’ album artwork