Indie Songsmith lewloh Embraces The Lessons Of Heartbreak On “Fleeting Friend”
lewloh has another powerful message with his latest single (Credit: Courtesy of lewloh)
Heartbreak is one of life’s strictest teachers. There’s no lesson harder than building yourself up when it feels like your very soul has been ripped out of your body. Yet for those who learn to rebuild themselves from it, it can be a worthwhile experience. lewloh puts it best in his latest single “Fleeting Friend” – ‘regret is a teacher’ and it can be both cruel and inspiring.
Much of lewloh’s discography has centred around his experiences growing up – advocating growth and healing. “Fleeting Friend” continues this thematic journey. Released recently on Valentine’s Day, the song is dedicated to everyone who isn’t defined by their past flames as they find solace in the lessons born from reminiscing, grieving and accepting.
Over the uplifting instrumental by Weiwen Seah, the “Serendipity” singer delivers a breathtaking performance radiating a warm helping hand to those who still require the strength to move on. Set against a backdrop of gentle harmonies, the ballad gradually welcomes the keys, drums, and guitar – like a warm embrace from old friends. It calls upon an empathetic side of lewloh that has made his career a joy to witness.
Compared to his acoustic-driven releases of the past year, “Fleeting Friend” has similar qualities – adding to the vulnerability he looks to impart, yet the fuller arrangement elevates the track beyond a personal ordeal. Beyond the crescendo of instrumentation, lewloh’s voice cuts through the dense arrangement like a shining beacon for those who need the guidance.
As an artist who believes in the power of community, his music seeks to relate – and it’s this ability to fundamentally understand the shared human experience that gives songs like “Fleeting Friend” their power. Since his rebranding from LEW in 2020, lewloh has come into his own as a queer artist who can provide his listeners with the community that they might be looking for.
(Credit: Courtesy of lewloh)
Listen to “Fleeting Friend” by lewloh on Spotify. Follow lewloh on socials for more information, or read our interview feature with him.
This contributor feature was written by Jensen Ooi.
Jensen’s love for music journalism is only rivalled by his adoration for Rina Sawayama’s music. He hopes for music to be the connecting tissue between everyone everywhere. You can find him at @jenericjensen on IG.
