Sylo Offers Two Culturally-Driven Takes on Love in Double-Single for AAPI Heritage Month
Named Amazon Music Canada‘s breakthrough artist for May, Sylo recently released a double-single aligned with AAPI Heritage Month. In “Bento Box” and “American Idea,” the Korean-Canadian alt R&B aficionado tells two different stories of love and how it is driven by his ever-evolving relationship with his heritage.
“Bento Box” is the more upbeat of the two releases, with a melody that begs for a summer car ride with the windows down. Similar to the variety of compartmentalized treats you get in a bento box, being with the right person allows you to appreciate all of their wonderful traits, one by one. Lyrically expressive, this track creates visuals within itself.
On “American Idea”, Sylo gets more introspective on the struggle of growing up never having examples in Western media of romantic relationships that involved people who represented his culture. Elaborating further, Sylo said,
I wrote American idea to reflect on my life, particularly in love and identity. First it started with my view and relationship with romance itself. I realized growing up, how love that was portrayed in media (mostly Western) really played a part in creating this unrealistic and unhealthy view of love. It also caused me to disconnect more with myself physically, as I found everyone I was looking up to and fantasizing to someday be, did not look like me. I then soon found myself digging deeper and finding even more nuanced characteristics and views I had that was so deeply ingrained with Western media in general.
This dichotomy between what he was seeing and feeling led him to want to connect more with his Asian heritage. The thoughts always lingered that maybe if he grew up in a more Korean-rich environment, he would’ve perceived himself and his views on love much differently. Regardless, Sylo is proud of this personal journey and the capacity that his culture and heritage have to drive the entirety of his life.
Sylo just wrapped up a supporting tour with MICHELLE. The rest of this year will see new music and new shows to be announced as Sylo continues to hit his stride.
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