Daiyan Trisha — artiste, arbiter of fashion, and now author — got her kick-start in music. We sit with the multifaceted superstar and muse on the songs that make her reflect on her personal growth thus far.
Our March cover star, Daiyan Trisha, has had a bang of a year in 2023. From starring in two major hits, Projek: High Council and the local adaptation of the K-drama W: Two Worlds, to taking global strides in the fashion and beauty world in Japan, New York City and Paris and finally publishing her debut poetry book Tulisan, Daiyan is always geared up for the next thing. But this year, she has expressed a desire to return to her roots in music. Songwriting is something she has never stopped doing, not once, and she’s definitely excited to get back to business.
As is, Daiyan’s musical taste is no doubt impeccable. And music has the exceptional ability to transport us to any bright or dark moment in our lives, and make us reflect on who we are at any given time. Here, six songs that make Daiyan Trisha reflect on her personal growth.
Moon Song by Phoebe Bridgers
Often growing up requires leaving things in the past, and that can very much feel difficult and confusing — like drowning, or swimming against the stream. This is captured in Phoebe Bridgers’ melancholic lyrics, And you pushed me in / And now my feet can’t touch the bottom of you. It is quite a heavy song that lets you drift away out of reality, perfect for some much-needed self-reflection through music.
Renegade by Taylor Swift & Big Red Machine
“Renegade” is a song that went unnoticed at the time of its release — partly due to its release during the pandemic and also partly due to its sensitive theme. A brutally honest look at a failing relationship, the song presents mental health as a major factor in its downfall. “It gives, like, such a real take on anxiety, and also relationships,” Daiyan says of the Taylor Swift and Big Red Machine collaborative song. It’s clear that it has quite an effect on her, especially in 2023, which according to Daiyan is the year she “learned to let go of not just opportunities, but people and relationships as well”.
Amazing Day by Coldplay
Of all the Coldplay songs I can name off the top of my head, Daiyan choosing “Amazing Day” from the band’s album A Head Full of Dreams takes me by surprise. This is a lighter, more fun song pick — but still very meaningful in itself. “Amazing Day” is a love letter to life, celebrating the “beautiful, crazy design” of the world around us. Daiyan tells us that within the past two years, her hard-headed trait was challenged — she learned to accept that God may not have granted her what she wanted, but gave her what she needed. It’s no surprise that this song is one she relates to, especially at the swell of the bridge: Can there be breaks in the chaos sometimes? / Oh thanks, God must’ve heard when I prayed / ‘Cause now I always want to feel this way.
26 by Paramore
Despite having turned thirty just last December, Daiyan counts “26” as one of the songs nearest to her when it comes to her own personal growth. Its raw lyrics (Survival will not be the hardest part / It’s keeping all your hopes alive / When all the rest of you has died) completely grasp you with its honesty, and forces you to hold on to hope — even when you feel it is useless.
Edge of Desire by John Mayer
One of the most iconic and well-written songs ever — in my own humble opinion — “Edge of Desire” is an exploration of being young and so full of feelings. According to Daiyan, living takes tolerance, and an understanding of the full capacity of what a person can give you, and what you can give them in return. “Life is like that in the end,” she says wisely. “It’s a cohesive circle.” Likewise, in this particular song, John Mayer croons at the very beginning: Young and full of running / Tell me, where is that taking me? / Just a great figure eight / Or a tiny infinity?
She’s Always a Woman by Billy Joel
A classic in its own right, “She’s Always a Woman” is sung from the perspective of a man who has fallen so deeply in love with a woman to the extent of falling for her endearing quirks as well as her flaws. In many ways, it is reminiscent of Daiyan’s own song “Woman”, from her debut album back in 2019. Even the most ‘perfect’ woman is not exempt from her own flaws — and perhaps once in a while, it’s good to examine them through this song.
Find out more about DAIYAN TRISHA in the latest issue of LSA Digital Cover Vol. 018 HERE.
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Written by
Puteri Yasmin Suraya
Senior Writer, Features and Tech
Hailing from an English Literature & Creative Writing background, Yasmin has a deep love for fiction and poetry. When she’s not reading or café-hopping, she spends most of her time in the comfort of her own room binge-watching period romances, (badly) belting out show tunes, and curating Spotify playlists to match her mood for the week.
