“‘Balai Tui Bin Hokkien Mee’ is a song I wrote circling an empty parking lot during the lockdown, imagining a time when there was never any parking. I was missing home and craving Hokkien mee,” Ng, 42, told FMT Lifestyle.
The catchy tune is one of several Penang Hokkien songs on “Book One: Songs For You and I”, Ng’s debut album. The singer hopes to introduce more listeners to the beauty of the dialect, which holds a special place in her heart.
“I hope these Penang Hokkien songs ignite a sense of pride in Penangites for our unique heritage, not just in our distinct northern dialects and way of speaking, but also in everything that makes us who we are,” said Ng, who has appeared in local TV series like “Kopitiam” and films like “You Mean the World To Me”.
“I hope future generations of Penangites, especially kids, will listen to these songs and feel encouraged to embrace and speak this beautiful and distinct dialect that is Penang Hokkien.”
Her album contains 11 tracks, written in English, Malay and Hokkien. The album is co-produced by Irena Taib of indie band The Impatient Sisters and Raja Farouk, and made possible with the support of the communications ministry and MyCreative Ventures.
Ng’s album is influenced by folk/pop and a touch of country, and explores universal themes, including love, loss, and the courage to keep going. Each track represents a chapter in the singer’s life and a step along her journey as an artiste and storyteller.
The album is now available in a unique format: an encrypted thumb drive, published by Publish King, contained in a beautifully designed box with cover art by Ng’s mother, Rose Oon. The box also features a booklet with Ng’s personal notes, full lyrics, and original artwork.
The first single, “Jangan, Sayang”, was released on Nov 24.
According to Ng, this debut album was 11 years in the making, and the 11 tracks (plus one bonus!) on the album is a nice coincidence.
“I love all my songs. They are like my little shrubs that have blossomed into big strong trees. After much love, watering, sunshine and fertilising, they are now ready to meet the world and hopefully give shelter and comfort to those who seek them,” said Ng, who names Ingrid Michaelson, Lily Allen, Jewel and Douglas Lim as major musical influences.
One highlight of the album is “Pe̍eh Hûn Suann ê Kim Hwa” (Kim Hwa of Misty Mountain), which pays tribute to her mother. The song also honours Mount Erskine, the neighbourhood Ng and her mother grew up in, and their first home as a family.
Also enjoy the album’s bonus track “Bererti”, which was composed by her brother Charlie Ng, and previously kept in storage for over two decades.
“With his vision in mind, I enlisted Irena to co-write the lyrics to this beautiful haunting melody. To finally see this song come to life is one of the most rewarding achievements in our journey in music for both my brother and me,” Ng said.
The singer, who believes passionately in the power of storytelling, said she hoped her album would encourage listeners to share their own stories with the world, and build connections with each other.
“I hope listeners feel a sense of belonging, like, ‘Hey, I know that feeling. Maybe we’re not so alone after all.’ These songs aren’t just my stories. They are our stories. Little snapshots of shared experiences that remind us we’re all the same, living on this big blue marble.
“I want my songs to feel like catching up with an old friend, the kind who knows just what to say when you’re missing home or needing a bit of company. I hope they bring comfort. A little warmth to come back to, whenever life feels a bit too quiet.”
The album ‘Book One’: Songs For You and I’ can be purchased via Chelsia Ng’s website. Also follow her on Instagram.