22/05/2026

LYFE FRIDAY | MAY 22, 2026

24

Music from human soul

The night will be a tribute to three decades of music,

o Yuna prefers spontaneity of

emotion and connection.

A MID the rapid rise in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative industry, Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna believes music capable of truly touching hearts still requires the human “soul”, something machines can never replicate. Yuna, 40, whose full name is Yunalis Mat Zara’ai, said no matter how advanced technology becomes, emotion and experience remain the most essential elements in creating meaningful music. “To me, AI can help refine a piece of work but I’m not comfortable with people relying on it too heavily, especially when they use AI generated voices and treat that as the final product. We already have so many talented artistes and songwriters who earn a living in this (entertainment) field,” she told Bernama in a recent interview. The Dan Sebenarnya singer said the strength of a song lies in the spontaneity of the human creative process, including the way lyrics and melodies evolve naturally to build a deeper emotional connection with listeners. “AI may be able to generate a song structure but it cannot create the kind of emotion that comes from real human experiences. Sometimes the words it produces also sound too contrived and unnatural. “It’s the human touch that makes a song feel alive and relatable,” she said. Yuna who has built a successful career as a singer in the US also expressed concern over copyright issues, noting AI platforms are believed to use data from existing traditional creative process to use of AI

Mandopop artiste Daniel Chan to celebrate 30 years of music at Arena of Stars

A night built on nostalgia, emotion and timeless Mandopop memories awaits as Hong Kong singer songwriter Daniel Chan returns to the stage with the Neon Reflections 30 Concert at the Arena of Stars on June 27 at 6pm. Marking 30 years in music and entertainment, the concert celebrates Chan’s enduring journey alongside the fans who have supported him through the decades. Widely regarded as one of the defining voices of Mandopop from the 90s and 2000s, Chan rose to fame through a collection of heartfelt ballads that became deeply woven into the memories of a generation. His signature vocals and emotional storytelling established him as a familiar presence across different chapters of life, with songs that continue to resonate long after their release. Conceived as a celebration and reunion, the Neon Reflections 30 Concert reflects on Chan’s evolution as an artiste over the past three decades while honouring the lasting

bond he has built with audiences throughout the years. Returning to the stage with the warmth and sincerity that fans have long connected with, the concert brings together music, emotion and reflection, bringing new life to the melodies that have accompanied listeners through youth, love and adulthood. Set against the cool highlands atmosphere, the show is designed as an immersive, emotional experience where past and present meet on one stage. With its glowing “neon reflections” theme, the night promises a shared journey through time, featuring a string of his most beloved classics, including Seoi Ping Zo (Aquarius), Xin You Du Zhong (Only One in My Heart), Bi Wo Xin Fu (Happier Than Me) and more. Each performance is expected to bring back waves of nostalgia, reconnecting fans to moments once tied to these songs, from school days and first love to the quieter reflections of adulthood. Tickets are priced from RM288 to RM1,088.

Yuna says the strength of a song lies in the spontaneity of the human creative process. – BERNAMAPIC

had never set streaming numbers as a personal goal and simply wanted to continue creating honest music. “When I first started this journey, I never imagined reaching one billion streams. People may see me as a big artiste but that kind of target never felt realistic to me. As long as people continue listening to my music and streaming my songs, I’m already grateful and happy,” she said, adding she only learnt about the achievement after receiving congratulatory messages from her fans on social media. She went on to describe the accomplishment as a major bonus in her career as an independent artiste, with her Malaysian fans remaining among the biggest contributors to the streaming success of her music.

artistes’ works as references to generate new music. Firm in her decision not to use AI in her own music-making process, she said she remains more comfortable with traditional creative methods because for her, music must come from the soul. “I’ve never used AI to make songs and honestly, I wouldn’t even know how to use it. I’m more comfortable with the usual creative process because I believe music should come from within,” she said. Yuna, meanwhile, has reached a new career milestone after surpassing one billion streams across all credits on Spotify, becoming the first Malaysian artiste to do so. Commenting on this, Yuna admitted it came as a surprise as she

EVENTS LISTING

Puma Deviate 4 Fast Lane Route Challenge 0 Date: May 23–29 0 Time: 6am–6pm (May 23), 7am–7pm (May 24), 2pm– 10pm (May 25–29) 0 Venue: Desa ParkCity, starting at The Waterfront Carpark 0 Entry fee: Free Puma presents the Deviate 4 Fast Lane Route Challenge, a seven-day running activation where participants can test the Puma Deviate Nitro 4 on a dedicated 5km route around Desa ParkCity. The challenge ends with a 50m sprint segment, with the fastest male and female

Konsert CIMB Moving KL Forward: Kita Bagi Jadi – At the Park 0 Date: May 23 0 Time: 7.45pm–10pm 0 Venue: Panggung Anniversari, Taman Botani Perdana, Kuala Lumpur 0 Entry fee: Free CIMB is collaborating with Kuala Lumpur City Hall to present Konsert CIMB Moving KL Forward: Kita Bagi Jadi – At the Park , a free concert under the Moving KL Forward initiative. The event brings together music, dance, poetry and visual storytelling, with performances by Aina

Berapa Sekilo? The Rhythm of the Wet Market 0 Date: Until June 4 0 Time: 11am–8pm 0 Venue: AweGallery, 21, Jalan 20/13, Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya 0 Entry fee: Free AweGallery presents Berapa Sekilo? The Rhythm of the Wet Market , a solo exhibition by Malaysian artist Ryzalman featuring photo-realistic watercolour paintings inspired by local wet markets. The exhibition captures seafood stalls, handwritten price cards and everyday exchanges between sellers and customers, using familiar

market scenes to reflect routine, labour, sustenance and the shared rhythms of Malaysian life.

Abdul, Haziq Rosebi, Izen Kong and Nadia Aqilah, accompanied by Orkestra Kuala Lumpur. Asmidar,

participants each winning a pair of Puma Deviate Nitro 4 shoes.