Straw Lim Celebrates Malaysian Identity In New Single & Showcase

By Lara Kramer  •  08 May 2025 in Music

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Malaysian singer-songwriter Straw Lim has just released her latest single, ‘Home’, a vibrant preview of her forthcoming album Pulang.

The track was released on 5 May 2025 and sets the tone for her upcoming live showcase titled Marilah Pulang, which will be held on 24 and 25 May at Nero Event Space, PJPAC in 1 Utama E.

‘Home’ is an energetic and heartfelt track inspired by dikir barat, a traditional Malaysian musical form known for its rhythmic and communal spirit. Featuring lyrics in Mandarin, Malay and English, the song celebrates cultural diversity and unity through playful melodies and catchy rhythms.

It has already received recognition, winning Best Overall Production and the Creative Excellence Award at the 2024 Short + Sweet Malaysia Festival (Song category) at KLPAC.

 

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A post shared by Straw 林水草 (@strawwwww)

The single introduces listeners to the themes explored in Pulang, Straw Lim’s second album. While her 2019 debut Excursion documented her travels to more than 50 countries, Pulang marks a return to her roots. It is a reflection on home, identity and heritage, expressed through multilingual lyrics and a fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds. The album features songs in five languages: Hinghwa, Bajau, Mandarin, Malay, and English, and incorporates a range of instruments such as the seruling, rebana, tabla, sape, trombone, cello, guitar and drums.

Pulang also features an impressive lineup of collaborators. Among them are Alena Murang, Melina William, Rozhan Rahman, Brendan De Cruz, MK Ridzuan, Prakash Kandasamy, and Hisharudy Mahmud. Together, they help bring Straw’s vision of a modern Malaysian sound to life, offering listeners an immersive and heartfelt musical journey.

The Marilah Pulang album showcase will be the live debut of the album, and promises an engaging concert experience. Audiences can expect a unique blend of music, storytelling, choreography, and visuals. The show is produced by Playspace Production and features a cross-cultural ensemble, visuals by Filamen, and choreography by Marrow Collective. It also incorporates evolving costumes and theatrical elements that highlight the narrative of returning home, both literally and symbolically.

Straw Lim, who grew up in Kuala Lumpur and is now based in Sabah, has built a name for herself through her evocative lyrics, genre-crossing compositions, and strong cultural themes. Her work often blends folk traditions with a global sensibility, making her a standout voice in the Malaysian music scene.

Tickets for Marilah Pulang are now available through OneTix. To explore more of Straw Lim’s music and stay updated on her work, visit her on Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify.

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