Bolis Pupul, photo by Bieke Depoorter (Magnum)
Rating 8/10 – GREAT Album
Bolis Pupul’s debut solo album, Letter to Yu, is a deeply personal project that serves as a tribute to his late mother, who passed away in a traffic accident in 2008. Born to a Belgian father and a Chinese mother, Pupul explores themes of memory, loss, dissonant identity, and the journey of embracing and connecting with one’s roots. The album, released today via DEEWEE, comprises 11 tracks and is described as a love letter to his mother, Yu Wei Wun.
The inception of Letter to Yu was deeply influenced by Pupul’s efforts to connect with his Chinese heritage, including learning Chinese for four years and visiting Hong Kong to find his mother’s birthplace. These experiences, along with the emotional and uplifting melodies found throughout the album, reflect Pupul’s journey of coping with loss while finding joy and resilience in his life. The lead single, “Completely Half,” encapsulates these themes with its sophisti-pop influence and a music video filmed in Hong Kong, aiming to visualize the complex feelings of belonging and identity.
Letter to Yu stands as a significant work in Pupul’s career, marking his exploration of personal history and cultural identity through music. We have had this on repeat all week and believe you will too after listening.