And her playlist for getting ready that includes Doja Cat, The Pussycat Dolls, and moistbreezy.

“For me, my inspiration always comes from nostalgia. As a child of the <a href="https://www.lofficielsingapore.com/Culture/britney-spears-best-y2k-style-moments">early 2000s,</a> my music or aesthetic is inspired by that,” says singer-songwriter and producer Ysa Yaneza. And it shows. When we meet, she is dressed in a monochrome pastel purple ("purple's my favourite colour," she quips) tube top and pants - reminiscent of the style of the celebrities of the early noughties. And take a peek through any of her visually resplendent music videos: full denim outfits, bright hair clips, a pink motorola flip phone... It's a glorious tribute to a y2k era.

Make no mistake, though. Though her synth-infused bubblegum pop sound is reminiscent of early pop music, her themes are resolutely grounded in the 21st century, where she croons about relationships that intersect with technology, LGBTQ issues and more. 

And clearly, she's done something right. The 25-year-old has been featured on Paper Magazine and It Pop - MTV Brasil, with her music video “Tea” even catching the attention of Troye Sivan.

"I feel the reason why I do music is also for the representation. 
Growing up, I felt like there wasn’t someone I could look up 
to in Singapore. That’s kind of why I started doing music. 
If no one is doing it, I’ll do it!"

On what she's been up to, the emerging pop star, who is a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago (under its Arts Management programme), has been spending her time at home writing new music, which she is hoping to come out later this year, or the next. "I think there is no reason to rush things, especially if you’re an independent artiste. For me, I just want to put out something that I’m proud of, and that people would be entertained by. I want to keep improving with each release, and that’s a personal benchmark."

Ahead, we follow Ysa as she goes about her beauty routine, talk everything from beauty, her influences, and what it’s like being a young female musician in Singapore today.

Before I go out, I'll put on... "Eyeliner, because as long as you have eyeliner on, you look like you’re put together, especially with the mask on. I use the <a href="https://www.sephora.sg/products/kvd-vegan-beauty-tattoo-liner-liquid-eyeliner">Kat Von D tattoo liner (S$32</a>) – I’ve been using it for the past six years now, and I always recommend it to people as well as it just stays on so well. Moisturiser for sure, with SPF, I use the<a href="https://www.cetaphil.com.sg/product/cetaphil-daily-facial-moisturizer-spf-15"> CETAPHIL Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 (S$24.90) </a>and a blemish remover – I use the <a href="https://www.watsons.com.sg/5-lotion-25g/p/BP_11250">OXY 5 Lotion (S$6.65)</a>."

Favourite makeup look... "My default look is like muscle memory to me: a smoky brown eyeshadow from my <a href="https://www.tangs.com/product/estee-lauder-pure-color-envy-sculpting-eyeshadow-5-color-palette-in-defiant-nude">Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting EyeShadow 5-Color Palette</a> (S$90) and cheeks from my <a href="https://www.sephora.sg/products/benefit-cosmetics-cheek-star-reunion-face-palette">Benefit Cosmetics Cheek Star Reunion Face Palette (S$63)</a> I like palettes that just have everything in them, things are just easier to find."

Beauty muses... "The early 2000s. Even with my music, I’m inspired by the early 2000s sound – aesthetically, it’s the same as well. It’s also a bit of that nostalgia factor for me, it’s what I wish I were – I was too young back then to put on makeup and now I get to explore that."

ysa2.tif

Creative influences... "If we’re talking about artistes that I look up to, my number one artistes would be (Filipino actress and singer) Lea Salonga and (the late Tejano singer) Selena as they overcame boundaries of their respective industries. Aside from the fact that Lea Salonga has such a beautiful voice that resonates with you, and Selena with her music, stage presence and personality, they brought a sense of representation to their respective industries. I’m mainly inspired by people who are versatile.

If we’re talking about “what” has been my biggest influence, then it would be music from the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s, American Idol, and music and films introduced to me by my parents. And also electronic producers from the 2010s like Grimes, SOPHIE and Flume."

On being a young female musician in Singapore... "In terms of the creative scene, Singapore is a small pool. I feel the reason why I do music is also for the representation. Growing up, I felt like there wasn’t someone I could look up to in Singapore. That’s kind of why I started doing music. If no one is doing it, I’ll do it!

My reason is also so that young girls can look up to someone. There have been people who reached out and said that my music inspired them, and that my videos have made them realise that there is art like this in Singapore… It’s like empowering people who aren’t usually seen by mainstream media. And that’s really my reason for doing it."

23.jpg

Images Kimberly Ong

This article originally appeared in the<a href="https://www.lofficielsingapore.com/fashion/superstar-sunmi-l-officiel-singapore-s-april-issue-is-out-now"> April 2021 issue </a>of L'Officiel Singapore.

Get Ready With: Ysa Yaneza, The Fillipino-Singaporean Bubblegum Pop Powerhouse To Watch

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