Pairing Mode by Ray Lozano

It’s Ray Lozano with her debut album ‘Pairing Mode’.

Ray Lozano is a German-Filipino singer, songwriter and producer born and raised in Cologne. In her work she likes to dabble in playing piano and bass. ‘Pairing Mode’ is composed of 12 musical short stories reflecting on solitude, change and belonging. Largely written in 2020 and 2021 it expresses the newfound pace of life during the pandemic.

“’Pairing Mode’ means connecting with each other” Ray says. “With everything that is and everything that is not. 2020, after all, was a year when we were all suddenly thrown back on ourselves. Had to deal with diffuse or less diffuse losses and were forced to downshift. At the same time, it also offered the chance for us to get to know ourselves and others once again in a different way. To connect with ourselves. With what remained and what had to be let go of.”

In each song (or chapter) Ray moves through a perspective on solitude. From longing for love to feeling contempt with yourself, disoriented, and then empowered again. Ray’s honest lyrics paired with her vulnerable, yet sophisticated and bold voice guide us through an emotional dreamy space found somewhere between heartbreak and hope. “’Pairing Mode’ is like a collection of polaroid pictures. Or like a menu, composed of several delicate dishes” she explains, emphasizing that it is to be enjoyed with all our senses. Every track is “a moment that has been captured and is complete as it is.”

Even though the songs are short they are long lasting - perfectly capturing the many fleeting thoughts and emotional states during solitude and shifting times. A yearning, a need. A need for quiet, for lightness, for space, for experiments, for a good laugh, for “situationships”, for clarity. A friendly reminder to hold on and listen for the nuances.

Ray and her co-producer Samon Kawamura (Max Herre, Joy Denalane, Megaloh) create a landmark in German-Asian culture. Their sound is following in the footsteps of the art and soul of Solange's ‘When I Get Home’ plus some quirkiness à la Tierra Whack - but always undoubtedly Ray Lozano. Her music offers a sense of home - direct, soothing, and playful. ‘Pairing Mode’ is accompanied by a strikingly gorgeous poetic film, produced by visual artist Parissa Charghi.

German-Filipino singer, songwriter & producer based in Cologne, Germany.

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