PIAO Pens an Ode to Childhood Pets and Missed Chances in “pagingbubu”
Hamsters have owned the internet, disproportionally so given their small and delicate nature, putting on meme muscles, laser helmets, and every power paraphernalia to become gods of hypertext transfers. Given those powers, maybe adding celestial immortality to their repertoire isn’t a stretch, and for the defiantly unique PIAO, the fact that such a creature is her music's mascot is, well, perfect. In “pagingbubu,” PAIO reveals all her nascent hallmarks—fiercely imaginative, melodically defiant in a fun way, a story of a pet that belies a greater family loss—culminating in a song sure to stay with you long after your first listen.
Raised in a household that cherished first-generational goals of excellence, PIAO is also the daughter of a musician, so her talent was encouraged, even if it was meant to be more of a health wheel to exercise on than a lifelong profession. She admits that after an opportunity to skip the drudgery of finance, winning a prestigious scholarship to study music at Berklee, and sensing that a window had opened for her, she “went all tigermom on herself.” The result was a pivot from the traditional stoic pathing of classical vocal talent to an adventurous calling as an alt-pop phenom.
However you consume your hamster music, a hyperpop adjacent starscape feels about right, starting with a slow glittering guitar part and PIAO’s vocals before ratcheting up into a big chorus and synth sounds that feel like stars shimmering. Of the work PIAO says, “'pagingbubu' is for your childhood dog in the sky, the critters in pet shops, and for all the lost time and missed opportunities to spend more time with the ones you miss. 'pagingbubu' is for continuing to love through space and time. All the things I wish I could’ve said to my dad when he was alive, I hope bubu (my hamster) can tell him now. “
One of those artists who can casually say something radically insightful and intelligent, then transition into vivacious otherworldly tempo and sounds, all while delivering a harmonized catchy song, “paginbubu” is a visceral listen, a comet-catching feeling that imbues hope.
PIAO is coming to a city near you, supporting Marianas Trench, consider it a seance for all your former pets and please go check her out.
Listen to "pagingbubu" below:
