“Two Sides” marks the first collaboration of Joel “Gentle Bones” Tan and Charlie Lim, two of Singapore’s most prolific singer-songwriters. The new song will be released under Yung Lee Records (YLR).
This is an exciting debut for YLR amidst the gloomy climate of 2020. The brand new label is helmed by Gentle Bones himself.
A bittersweet anthem, “Two Sides” is a song that represents the two sides in every relationship. It is the third of 10 singles Gentle Bones has planned for release in 2020 after the light and playful tracks “Why Do We?” and “Be Cool.”
Gentle Bones and Lim co-wrote “Two Sides.” The two artists want to convey a perspective of heartbreak and longing with the soothing bedroom vocals of the former and the smooth, jazzy tones of the latter.
“Joel has a strong sense of melody which made writing and producing this song quite effortless,” Lim explained. “I believe we’ve come up with a song that perfectly addresses our struggles of the duality we face in both our personal relationships and our strive to touch people with our music.”
The song is an ode to those going through difficult times with loved ones, showing them that on both sides, there are some things that only an honesty with self, one another and time can heal. It starts off with a distinct, lilting beat which introduces the listener to a hopeful but tender mood.
Having been a fan of each other’s works for many years, Gentle Bones and Lim utilized their shared love for late ’90s and early 2000s boy bands by putting their own stamp on it. It is through this sound that listeners were able to enjoy the artists’ beautiful meld of vocal harmonies, designed to bring us on a journey of nostalgia.
“A lot of the lyrics came from a place of frustration with someone but also knowing there’s a reason why things happen the way they do and why people are the way they are,” Lim shared. Gentle Bones added, “It all stems from love and a bit of heartbreak to arrive at an understanding that we are all one with our differences.”
True to the artists’ vision, “Two Sides” serves as an epistle for the lovelorn and lonely to come together in this trying time where empathy and forgiveness hold currency. Listen to the song here:
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