Lyia Meta
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In NEXT, I aim to continue the rich tradition of self-expression and storytelling that has always been at the heart of my music. The album comprises a collection of songs that delve into the universal themes of love, loss, and the human experience. Working with Denise Dimin, Bob McGilpin, and Gene Rabbai has truly made this experience special, with each of us bringing our unique talents to the project. Together, we have poured our hearts into crafting songs that are not only musically compelling but also emotionally resonant.
Denise's poignant lyrics have allowed me to tell my story through her experiences, adding a depth and richness to the music that I could not have achieved on my own. Bob McGilpin's arrangements and musical intuitiveness, including the addition of his own song, have enabled me to showcase myself, standing on the shoulders of giants in the music industry who have inspired me along the way. Gene Rabbai's orchestration and piano work have added an additional layer of depth and emotion to the music, elevating it to a level I had only dreamed of.
A significant highlight of this album is the inclusion of "All My Loving," a song that has been thoughtfully rearranged to honor the profound influence The Beatles have had on the evolution of modern music. This song was intentionally added to the album as America celebrates the 60th anniversary of The Beatles' historic landing on American soil—a moment that sparked a cultural revolution and forever changed the trajectory of popular music. By including this track, we pay tribute not only to The Beatles' legacy but also to their enduring impact on artists like myself, who continue to be inspired by their groundbreaking contributions to music and culture.
Produced by Bob McGilpin
Coproduced by Gene Rabbai and Lyia Meta
Arrangements, mix and master by Bob McGipin
Guitars by Bob McGilpin
Piano, strings by Gene Rabbai
Released 07.26.24
Track list
All My Loving - 3:54
Easier and Easier - 3:55
I'll Look Behind - 4:33
Melancholy Blue - 3:21
Ease Away Slowly - 4:16
Home to You - 3:35
Thinkin' Blues - 3:47
Songwriter credits:
All My Loving Lennon and McCartney
Easier and Easier Denise Dimin
I'll Look Behind Denise Dimin
Melancholy Blue Robert McGilpin
Ease Away Slowly Denise Dimin
Home to You Denise Dimin
Thinkin' Blues Denise Dimin
What Lyia Meta has to say about NEXT
“Building upon my past while exploring fresh interpretations and emotional depths, this album is not just a continuation but a testament to evolution and progression in my musical journey. Guided by my voice, NEXT represents a serendipitous outcome of the many factors that have brought me to this significant juncture. Together with my collaborator, Los Angeles songwriter Denise Dimin, and my incredible team, producer Bob McGilpin, and co-producer Gene Rabbai, I step confidently into my NEXT chapter, eager to embrace new possibilities and share my evolving story with the world. As a prelude to the release of upcoming album, I released the single, "EASIER AND EASIER," on July 5th, giving my listeners and fans a peep into what is to come when the album was released. This is a continuity to the story that was ALWAYS YOU.
What others have to say about NEXT
“Next is the name of Lyia Meta's new work. The artist arrives empowered and giving beautiful versions of beloved songs like the first track on the album, an incredible jazz, well done and totally representative, we are grateful to have such a beautiful female voice in today's jazz” In! Indie O'Clock
“Lyia Meta has delivered a masterful album that is both a tribute to classic sounds and a fresh, innovative work in its own right.” Indie Tapes
“NEXT doubles as a rearview mirror and a crystal ball, telescoping her most intimate memories and aspirations into music that crackles with immediacy and ambition..” Fame Magazine UK
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"As I step into this new chapter of my musical journey, I do so with a sense of excitement and anticipation. I am eager to see where this path will lead me NEXT, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing my music with the world.”
EASIER AND EASIER
Release Date: 5th July 2024
Songwriter: Denise Dimin
Produced by Bob McGilpin
Coproduced by Gene Rabbai and Lyia Meta
After a short hiatus but no stranger to the genre, Meta has released 11 Country singles with songwriters Mike Jones and the late Jerry Jake Howard Sr. over the span of five years from 2018 to 2022. Today her collaborative relationship with songwriter Denise Dimin introduces her listeners again to the genre that was a huge part of her early years growing up in the historical city of Melaka.
"This track has a special story behind it and it is wonderful to once more revisit a genre that was a huge part of my childhood. The local Portuguese community has a deep love for Country music and all the traditional weddings and events I recall attending over the years always featured Country favourites" Originally recorded as a pop jazz version (coming soon), Dimin received a unique request from a music supervisor that inspired the creation of a country version as well! "So this is sort of a teaser, or think of it as an appetizer for the main course, which WILL BE MY NEW ALBUM! What's NEXT? Stay tuned!"
HOME TO YOU
Release Date: 7th June 2024
Songwriter: Denise Dimin
Produced by Bob McGilpin
Coproduced by Lyia Meta
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The timeless charm of the Jazz Pop era has long captivated listeners, both old and new, with its lush strings and rich melodies. This era evokes the romance of yesteryear, a sentiment echoed in Lyia Meta's vocals, which resonate with a depth and richness reminiscent of that era. "Memorabilia" introduces listeners to a collaboration between songwriter Mary Ann Heimann and songstress Lyia Meta. With her contralto, Lyia captures the essence of our time while paying homage to the iconic sounds that have shaped generations.
MEMORABILIA
Relese Date: 26th April 2024
Songwriter: Mary Ann Heimann
Producer: Bob McGilpin
Coproducer: Gene Rabbai and Lyia Meta
"On her new single "All My Loving", Malaysian artist extraordinaire Lyia Meta pays homage to the great Beatles classic, giving the song a fresh, jazz pop perspective while still honoring its timeless appeal" Eclectic Music Lover
In her latest project, Lyia Meta builds upon her successful collaboration with Los Angeles songwriter and composer Denise Dimin for the album "ALWAYS YOU." This time, she takes on a classic, paying homage to the legendary artists who have shaped our musical heritage. By reimagining "All My Loving" by The Beatles as a jazz-pop reinterpretation, she offers a fresh perspective while honoring its timeless appeal.
Lyia Meta acknowledges the enduring charm of this classic piece, which has captivated listeners for generations. Collaborating once more with brilliant producer Bob McGilpin and his coproducer Gene Rabbai, she reinterprets the song in a jazz-pop style, paying tribute to its iconic melody and lyrics by infusing it with her unique style and personal experiences.
Breathing new life into a beloved classic, it seeks to remain faithful to the essence of the song while adding a delightful jazz-pop twist. This approach respects the past while offering a new take that feels both familiar and refreshing.
ALL MY LOVING
Released: 29th March, 2024
Written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon
Rearranged and produced by Bob McGilpin
Coproduced by Gene Rabbai
"𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒄 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒄, 𝒇𝒆𝒘 𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑳𝒚𝒊𝒂 𝑴𝒆𝒕𝒂..." Billboard Magazine ar
Award-winning Malaysian vocalist Lyia Meta has a big, bold, sometimes soft, and sultry sound rooted in American jazz and popular music. Her voice becomes her instrument and with her fourth album “Always You”, a collection of original tunes penned by songwriter Denise Dimin, Meta invokes the American Songbook and era of Jazz standards. With a career that spans over two decades, Lyia Meta has created an enduring genre-defying catalog lush with awards by approaching each song with authenticity, enlisting her supple contralto in service of the lyric. Lyia Meta’s “Always You” represents a fresh take on a classic sound already heralded by international listeners.
Whether you're a devoted fan of the original era or a newcomer eager to discover its timeless charm, "Always You" promises to be a musical journey that evoke the romance of a bygone era. Lyia Meta's voice resonates with a depth and richness reminiscent of that era. It is not just music; it's an experience. We invite you to explore the vast landscape of Jazz Pop, where genres merge and boundaries fade away. Lyia Meta's velvety vocals introduces you to a collection of all-original songs by Los Angeles songwriter, Denise Dimin that offers a fresh perspective on the Jazz Pop genre. The album ALWAYS YOU captures the spirit of our time while paying homage to the iconic sounds that have shaped generations.
The Journey to “Always You”
The album ALWAYS YOU started its journey with a single song, the title song, a testament to the unshakeable belief that my voice was destined to be the vessel for songwriter Denise Dimin’s heartfelt words. Her unwavering conviction altered the course of my artistic path, as I stepped outside of my comfort zone, exploring my own inner self and allowing the tight grip I’ve always held on my own insecurities and vulnerabilities to slip away. In ALWAYS YOU I discovered a sense of belonging, a place where I could authentically express myself. This collaboration was born amid the pandemic, a time of uncertainty that paradoxically led to a creative awakening. ALWAYS YOU became an exploration of the rich tapestry of Jazz-Pop, with a tinge of blues, a harmonious fusion that reflected the depth of our creative synergy. Denise Dimin’s songs found a resonant voice within me, and in turn, I found a haven within the album; a realization that I had finally come home.
Pre-pandemic, Denise and I both belonged to a private Facebook female musician’s group and although Denise had been a fan of my work, it wasn’t until the pandemic that my schedule allowed a collaboration. It started with one song, then an EP, “15013”, a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist/producer Bob McGilpin, and we were off to the races! My next album, still during the pandemic, was a soul/R&B collaboration with Bob McGilpin, while concurrently Denise wrote the song "ALWAYS YOU" as an inducement for us to work together once more. And with the title song "ALWAYS YOU", we were all three, again, back to the races as I combed through Denise’s catalogue for songs that resonated with me yet had the space for me to arrange them in a way that allowed me to explore my newfound curiosity about the Jazz-Pop genre.
Both Denise and I, from our first discussions, were excited about creating timeless music that straddled various eras and genres.
As an entertainer whose career focused on live performances in a cultural environment that rewarded cover bands showcasing the latest pop hits from the U.S. and other parts of the world, my own musical creativity was always bubbling away, waiting to be recognized. I released my first album, THIS IS LYIA, in 2016 and was rewarded with several nominations and awards along the way. I started exploring worldwide relationships which resulted in a nomination in the Jazz category at the 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards and nominations at The International Portuguese Music Awards, winning at the LIT Talent Awards, and Global Music Awards, being a listed contestant at the 2022 Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Vocal Competition, among many others.
So, lightning in a bottle? Twice? Maybe!
Always yours,
Lyia
"Smooth, sultry, and full of confidence, each tune has a life and soul of its own(...). In truth though, the entire EP is worthy of your time and attention. It’s just beautiful from start to finish!" Jeremy Bregman- Mesmerize
"A vocal jazz album is not the easiest animal to wrestle into the barn of commercial listening (if you know what I mean). One doesn’t want to come off to esoteric in song choice, but one still wants to keep ones cred and deliver a singular vision.
Meta does all of this and more." Ralph Greco
"I first heard Lyia Meta while browsing and I was immediately taken by the deep richness of her voice, a quality that is almost like musical velvet, but packed with a dynamic energy and so much soul. I am now a huge fan and I’m looking forward to watching her soar in the music world. She has a style and look that is totally hers alone and refreshingly unique. She is a joy!" Larry Lee Cansler. American composer, arranger, conductor, musical director, and pianist. He has collaborated with Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Roger Miller, The Smothers Brothers, Michael Martin Murphey, Mason Williams, The Jackson Five, Pam Tillis, Collin Raye among others.
"The eight-track album blends jazz, pop, and the blues, and features some incredible performances by Meta, making it the perfect addition to your musical collection." Art Publika
"Meta has something which few singers possess, and that is complete control of her powerful voice." Sammy Stein (International Editor for Jazz Journalist Association)
"Lyia Meta ‘s talent and artistic pedigree means she moves seamlessly between genres" 𝘍𝘈𝘜𝘓𝘛 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘦
"(...)but what Meta does with her smooth vocals is eliminate that generic element so often found and heard in smooth jazz/jazz-pop genres, creating something that really sticks as smooth in its positive sense." 𝐿𝑗𝑢𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑜 𝑍𝑖𝑣𝑘𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑐-𝐿𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐹𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠
❞If you are looking for your next obsession, I might just have found her for you. Lyia Meta might be the best-kept secret, but I think the time is right for everyone to know her wonderful music and her iconic and timeless voice. ❞ 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙖 𝙎𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙨-𝙍𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙤s- 𝙉𝙤𝙝𝙤 𝘼𝙧𝙩 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙩
❞ Always You embraces a sophisticated elegance in comparison, highlighting Meta’s powerful vocal talents, which achieve a rare contralto range(...)
The jazz-pop lushness of Always You strikes quickly with the powerful title track, opening with a sense of proclaimed adoration(...)❞ Mike Mineo (Obscure Sound)
"𝘼𝙇𝙒𝘼𝙔𝙎 𝙔𝙊𝙐' added to 𝙅𝙖𝙯𝙯 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩- 𝙊𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩-'New Jazz You Should Hear' by NPR Music
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"This is a gem of an album for fans of jazz from the mid-20th century or so, with passages filled by piano glissandi and a riding cymbal beneath a velvety voice.." Art & Culture Maven
Aɴʏᴀ M Wᴀssᴇɴʙᴇʀɢ- ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴍɪᴛᴛᴇɴᴛ ᴡʀɪᴛᴇʀ ᴏɴ ᴍᴜsɪᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡs ᴏʀ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴠɪᴇᴡs ғᴏʀ Aʟʟ AʙᴏᴜᴛJᴀᴢᴢ.
"Meta takes her extraordinary contralto range and infuses it with her own unique style, an enticing fusion of blues and classical tones that has resonated with audiences of all ages. continents." Billboard Magazine ar
❞.....her contralto vocal range makes her unique but what she's done with it makes her special.❞ Kath Galaso (Onstage Magazine)
❞For some reason, “For You” recalls a contralto version of Adele because of the melody’s dark, sad tinctures blended with hints of modern classical pop savours. It’s the type of song ideally suited for the title song of a James Bond movie – at once seductive and ruthless.❞ Randy Radic, V13
❞The performance that Lyia has exhibited in this track can easily place her as one of the most talented singers in this generation. ❞ Huges Nelson, Daily Music Roll