Enough love to go around

LOCAL singer Shila Amzah announced in a press conference at Resorts World Genting last month that she is not retiring.
This was in reply to speculations that her recent marriage in April would spell the end of her singing career.
Instead, this Malay artiste, who sings in Mandarin and has established her own music label in Hong Kong, will be kicking off her Loving You World Tour at the Arena of Stars in Resorts World Genting on Sept 29.
Loving You is Shila’s seventh studio album, and the second one in Chinese, after last year’s My Journey, which also saw her embark upon her first world tour that also started at the Arena of Stars.
This time, Shila’s Loving You World Tour will include a confirmed stop in China, with other locations like New Zealand and Australia still in discussion.
“I chose this theme, ‘ai ni’, which means ‘loving you’, because Aini is [the name of] my best friend and she’s been helping me, every now and then, for everything,” said Shila at the press conference.
She added that this time around, fans can expect to see a different side of her, stemming from “finally [finding my] loved one” to share her life with.
The multi-lingual singer said: “After being so much in love, I want to give you guys a lot more love from me.”
In an interview after the press conference, Shila explained that although she had taken a couple of Mandarin classes before her career as a singer, it was time spent living in Beijing for almost two years that really “forced her to speak the language”.
“That’s the fastest way to learn! You don’t need a teacher. Just blend in, throw yourself out there and you’ll be able to survive.”
Noting the same excitement while working on both her Mandarin albums, she said that unlike My Journey where she wrote 90% of the songs, Loving You presented a chance for her to work with different songwriters.
“This time, I actually opened myself up to collaborate with fabulous songwriters from all over the world, especially in China, so [there is] a different ‘flavour’ in this upcoming album.”
Incidentally, the album’s lead single, If We are Getting Old, was released before her wedding, and during the ceremony, she even sang it to her husband, Haris Idraki Elias.
Despite being known for her ballads and ability to hit high notes, Shila said the track is a departure from what her fans are used to hearing from her.
“It’s very subtle … something that everyone can sing along together.”
If We are Getting Old also holds special significance for Shila because of its meaningful lyrics and melody.
She said: “The lyrics were so beautifully written, and I think it actually represents what exactly I’m feeling in my heart, to be spending a lifetime with your loved one until you’re old.
“You’re thinking what’s going to happen when you’re older. Are you still going to be here? It’s about … a promise to myself, and to my partner, and also my family.”
Meanwhile, the Kuala Lumpur-born singer – who recently made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2018 list for her breakthrough success in the Chinese music industry – reassures fans that she will also be releasing new Malay-language singles.

“I am still working on my Malay songs as well, [I’m] not forgetting my roots.”
Tickets to Shila Amzah’s Loving You World Tour concert are already on sale. For more, visit the Resorts World Genting website.