Following the intriguing depths of their debut single 'God Complex', Australian-American duo Yulan & Blaise are back with 'Falling 花火落', a captivating second taste from their forthcoming EP, set to arrive in 2025. This new art pop offering expands on the downtempo leanings of its predecessor, weaving together ethereal vocals in both English and Mandarin with a rich tapestry of electronic and live instrumentation.
At the core of 'Falling 花火落' lies a potent metaphor drawn from the Chinese characters 花 (flower) and 火 (flame), which ultimately combine to form the word for "firework" (花火). The duo explains their fascination with themes of duality and betrayal, describing "a seductive but destructive love that burns you up." They add, "When you combine 花 (flower) and 火 (flame) in Chinese you get the word “firework”. It’s about a romance that ends as quickly as it began, but leaves you in a state of extreme lovesickness, bordering on euphoric."
The track, which the duo produced themselves, features a delicate balance of electronic textures and instruments they performed, including traditional Chinese flutes, erhu, guzheng, and even the imposing contrabass saxophone. A standout moment is Blaise's expressive alto saxophone solo, a clear nod to his extensive experience as a punk sax player, having spent two decades touring with the iconic Violent Femmes.
The pair draw from a diverse well of influences, citing 90s Mandopop, the evocative film scores of Shigeru Umabayashi, and classic 1950s Chinese movie musicals. Yulan notes the organic nature of her vocal delivery, revealing, "As a child my mother taught me her favourite songs from old Chinese movie musicals. I learned to sing in Mandarin years before I learned to speak it."
Beyond its exploration of romantic entanglement, 'Falling 花火落' also carries a heavier, existential weight. The duo shared that while finalising the song, they were surrounded by the grim reality of bushfire smoke from both Tasmania and Blaise's native California. This sombre backdrop infused the flower and flame imagery with a deeper resonance, representing "a grief beyond the romantic." Yet, even within this sorrow, they found a sense of hope – "But amidst grief, the possibility of rebirth – a new bloom."
The accompanying music video for 'Falling 花火落', directed by Gabriel Morrison, is set for release alongside the single on April 25th. Filmed within the striking Ming Court Restaurant, the video visually narrates the poignant conclusion of a romance, subtly referencing acclaimed 90s cinema like Wong Kar Wai's 'Fallen Angel's and Zhang Yimou's 'Raise The Red Lantern'.
Yulan & Blaise are truly chameleonic talents, merging their Singaporean-Australian and Mexican-American heritage into a distinctive brand of experimental pop. Praised by Flex as "one of the more exciting names on the rise," their sound blends electronic soundscapes with ethereal vocals and traditional instruments used in fresh, unexpected ways. With 'Falling 花火落', they continue to build their unique world, promising more sonic adventures on their upcoming EP.
For more from Yulan & Blaise, be sure to find them on Bandcamp, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
