JoySauce Radio: Songs that lean into artists’ roots and identity
From a video featuring a star-studded Wasian cast, to a track with old school Bollywood vibes, these songs are nods to who these artists are
From left, cover art for "2515" by Wasia Project, "YDH" by Chloe Qisha, and "Madwoman" by Laufey.
Graphic by Ryan Quan
Words by Anjana Pawa
JoySauce Radio: Consider JoySauce Radio our own personal song recommendations—featuring some of our favorite tunes and videos—all from Asian and Pacific Islander artists around the world.
Evolution can’t happen without leaning into your roots, and this month’s JoySauce radio features a collection of songs in which artists are trying out something new but still infusing it with nostalgic elements and recalling what they know to deliver on fan favorites. With everything from a popstar’s comeback album that’s a nod to his South Asian vocal roots, to a video featuring a star-studded Wasian cast, there’s always a way to pay homage to your identity and have fun when creating something brand new. As spring brings new energy and the vibes begin to switch (and AANHPI heritage month just around the corner), turn on this playlist, and create something for yourself that’s a nod to who you are too.
“Madwoman” by Laufey
In classic Laufey fashion, “Madwoman” uses her dreamy vocals to create an ethereal landscape with a jazzy backdrop. If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t seen the accompanying music video to the track, pull up YouTube right away, because the newly proclaimed Queen of Wasia cast a dream team of her Wasian siblings to play characters in her dream world by the pool. Joining the Icelandic Chinese singer in the video are heartthrob Hudson Williams, Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu, Megan Skeindel of KATSEYE, and The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Lola Tung. If that hasn’t tempted you to watch the video enough, I don’t know what will.
“2515” by Wasia Project
This new release introduces a new type of sound for the brother-sister duo who have been making music together since they were kids. Released earlier this month, the two describe “2515” as a darker and more emotional track than what fans might be used to. The musical backtrack leans more electric, but the siblings still have room to let their vocals shine and infuse classical elements into the track, which is what they have become known for. Though it’s less whimsical and paints a different picture, this song marks an exciting shift for Wasia Project.
“YDH” by Chloe Qisha
One thing you can always expect when you turn on a Chloe Qisha track is a story. “YDH” stands for young, dumb, and horny and describes a perfect situationship that you can’t quite get yourself out of. Qisha has a knack for making a song that feels like a full theatrical production and this is no different. Along with descriptive lyrics that reveal details about a steamy love affair, the song also plays with the melody, going up and down the octave, mimicking the way you might feel after you spend a night with your complicated lover.
“Lakshmi Express” by Anish Kumar (from the “Bait” soundtrack)
This instrumental production from Anisha Kumar, made especially for Riz Amhed’s Amazon Prime series “Bait,” feels almost meditative. If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine yourself in a taxi riding the streets of the South Asian neighborhoods of London with “Lakshmi Express” blasting. It fuses elements of electric and house with old school filmy Bollywood instrumentals, creating a landscape of nostalgia. By the time you reach the end of the song, you’ll both be wondering how three minutes passed that quickly and want to click play again.
“Sideways” by ZAYN
Zayn is back with a brand new album, Konnakol, and the lead single “Sideways” is the perfect evolution from his usual sound. It’s still sultry and vocal heavy in the classic Zayn way, expressing yearning and nostalgia over a past love, but there are more descriptive lyrics and the chorus is full of interesting beats. Though the British Pakistani popstar had a shaky album opening day after being hospitalized amidst the promotion cycle, he is set to go on tour this year and bring Konnakol on the road.
Published on April 28, 2026
Words by Anjana Pawa
Anjana Pawa is a Brooklyn-based culture reporter who regularly covers music, entertainment and beauty. You can find her on Twitter at @apawawrites.
Art by Ryan Quan
Ryan Quan is JoySauce's social media manager, associate editor, and all-around visual eye. This queer, half-Chinese, half-Filipino writer and graphic designer loves everything related to music, creative nonfiction, and art. Based in Brooklyn, he spends most of his time dancing to hyperpop and accidentally falling asleep on the subway. Follow him on Instagram at @ryanquans, and check out his work on his website.