The Busy Mind of YOUS

With refreshing clarity, the singer opens up about the endlessness of self-discovery.

Photo courtesy of YOUS

For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them?
I’d describe it as a palette full of colors. I’m not the type of artist who wants to stay in just one lane. Because of that, some people might wonder what my identity as an artist really is, but to me, that fluidity is my identity. Sometimes my music feels soft and flexible, like paint dissolving in water. Other times, it comes out more solid and intense, like paint that has fully dried. Just like a palette, I want to show a wide range of colors and emotions through my music. It might be hard to define my sound as just one genre, but I believe that showing these different sides and personas is the most honest way [to] represent who I am in that moment. 

Who or what first inspired you to pursue a music career?
The biggest inspiration has always been myself. I’ve always had a lot of emotions [without] a place to go, and music became the one thing that stayed with me through all of it. It [feels] like a lifelong friend that comforts and truly understands me. At one point, I even felt like I wouldn’t be able to keep going without music; it became the only space where I could fully express everything I carry inside me. Of course, inspiration sometimes comes from people around me, from nature, [and] even from small, ordinary objects. But in the end, I think I’m always at the center of it, the one who shapes those inspirations and gives them a voice. 

How did you choose your stage name?
My stage name came from the word “youth.” I found myself reflecting a lot on my own youth, and that word really stuck with me. To me, “youth” isn’t just about age. It’s something I define in my own way, and it represents the version of myself I want to express through my music. I want to capture different moments of my youth, almost like collecting them one by one in songs. That’s why I slightly altered the spelling and turned it into “YOUS.”

What career would you be pursuing today if it could not be music-related?
I would probably still be working in the entertainment industry. That’s actually what I used to do. I could bring together my second language, English, my academic background, and my understanding of music. So even if I couldn’t make my own music, I think I’d still find a way to stay close to it, maybe by supporting other artists and helping bring their music to life. 

Who has been on your playlist recently?
I feel like I’m living inside a wide range of music these days. I’ve been listening to a lot of Daniel Caesar, SAILORR, and Don Toliver. I don’t really limit myself to a specific genre or sound, so my playlist changes quite often, but those three artists are definitely ones I keep coming back to. 

How have your personal music tastes changed over the years, and have they influenced your approach to making your own music?
My music taste changes constantly - sometimes even within minutes. I can be completely into a certain sound or artist and then suddenly shift. I think that reflects how my mind works. I tend to experience emotions very intensely and frequently, and that naturally affects what I’m drawn to. But honestly, I see that as a strength. Having such a wide and ever-changing taste allows me to explore different sides of myself more freely. Since I carry a lot of different emotions and perspectives within me, the more kinds of music I listen to, the easier it becomes to express who I am.

Photo courtesy of YOUS

Please talk about each of these songs:

“PLOP!” (ft. Ja Mezz): My debut single, “PLOP!,” is a very playful track. The title comes from the sudden splashing sound something makes when it drops into water. I felt like that was a perfect metaphor for the kind of love I was experiencing at the time. These days, people tend to be cautious about love. They fall in, then pull away just as quickly. I found myself stuck in the so-called “friend zone,” and I wanted to express that frustration in a witty way. It’s almost like a warning to the people who briefly dive into my heart only to leave right after.

“LOVE FLU” (ft. ARON): “LOVE FLU” tells the story of being in love with someone I truly care about. I used to be very guarded when it came to love, but this song captures the moment when something real finally broke through those walls. The feeling came unexpectedly, like catching a cold, and before I knew it, I was completely immersed in it. It’s about a kind of love that slowly takes over you, even when you’ve spent so long trying to resist it. I think this song shows the most honest and vulnerable emotions of someone who has fully fallen in love. 

“Serenade...”: “Serenade...” is my most recent release, and it captures a completely different stage of love. There’s no hesitation or guardedness anymore. It’s about that state [when] your mind is constantly filled with someone, [when] they naturally take over your thoughts. The song itself came together very effortlessly. Since I was already overwhelmed with those feelings, both the lyrics and the melody flowed out naturally. 

I didn’t want to portray a cliché kind of love [in the music video], so I approached it in a more intense and direct way. It reflects the idea of wanting to be with someone forever, even if it means crossing a line, almost like wanting to keep their soul with you for eternity. Because of that, when you watch the music video, it can feel a bit dark and unsettling in an interesting way. I definitely recommend experiencing [the song and video] together. 

What are the biggest similarities and differences among the singles you have released so far?
The biggest similarity is that they all revolve around love, but interestingly, the biggest difference is also about love. What really changes from song to song is my perspective on it. If you follow the three tracks in order, you can actually see a progression: my guard slowly coming down, learning to accept love, and eventually allowing myself to fully fall into it. Each song captures a different stage of how I experience love, and together, they form a kind of emotional timeline.

Photo courtesy of YOUS

When or during what circumstances do you tend to feel the most inspired?
I think it’s actually quite difficult to pinpoint a specific moment; inspiration often comes to me very suddenly. Sometimes it’s from meeting someone and picking up on the energy or the emotions they make me feel. Other times, it can come from being in a completely new place, where the atmosphere brings out certain feelings in me. I think inspiration can come from almost any situation. It usually happens most vividly in moments when I feel most aware of myself. 

What is your personal definition of “success”?
To me, it means being able to live a stable life without constant uncertainty - being surrounded by the people and things I love, and not feeling restricted by money or circumstances. If I could ask for a little more, it would be the freedom to fully pursue my music. I want to be able to perform my songs anywhere in the world, and to stand on any stage without feeling out of place. Since I’m someone who really loves people, being able to share my music freely across different places and cultures would mean true success to me. 

Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourself or your music?
I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment. Even though I’ve only released three songs so far, I plan to continue showing a wide range of personas and emotions beyond just stories about love. I carry a lot of contradictions within myself, constantly moving between different emotions and identities, and I want to explore that honestly through my music. I think we’re all like that in some way. We’re not just one version of ourselves. Through my music, I hope to share those different sides and create something that people can relate to and find comfort in. I truly hope my heart reaches listeners all around the world.

Check out YOUS’s music here, and keep up with her on Instagram here!

View the Substack version of this piece here!

Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.