While change has been a big part of Lay Zhang's (also known as LAY) journey, it is also important to pay attention to the constants that have helped him reach where he is today. 

The 31-year-old has come a very long way since he made his debut as an artist as part of the K-pop boy group EXO a decade ago, yet he remains modest about his achievements and is as focused as ever on developing the different areas of his multifaceted career. 

As a music artist, the multihyphenate's refusal to let himself get too comfortable with what he is familiar with is the reason why all of his creations, including his latest EP 西 (West), feel so refreshing. 

"I’m still experimenting — regardless of the genre, whether it’s eastern or western, what style people like the most and hope to hear, [or] what kind of M-pop is the most appropriate. For example, where the erhu or suona should be placed in a song, these are all ideas that I’m still experimenting with," said LAY in Mandarin at a press event ahead of his GRANDLINE2: INFINITE LANDS concert in Singapore on 19 October. 

He added: "I didn’t think so many people would support this album, so I’m very happy."

Released on 24 September this year, 西 (West) — the long-awaited follow-up to his 2021 EP 東 (East) — is the latest of the Chinese artist's efforts to cast a spotlight on traditional Chinese art forms. A beautiful tapestry produced by seamlessly weaving together traditional and contemporary elements, the project also further solidifies his status as a champion of Chinese culture.

"Both EPs are based on the Silk Road. I hope to take that multiculturalism from the past [and] dismantle and reassemble it to create a new, diverse kind of production. The core of the compositions originates from Classical Chinese poetry. Many poems in the past actually had a lot of metric variations and musical modes, but notation wasn't available then, so we've since lost some of that. But the writing has been passed down, so much inspiration originates from the various forms of Chinese poetry, explained LAY.

In his music, the 'NAMANANA' hitmaker also demonstrates his love for his craft through the great care and purposefulness with which he decides which instruments to incorporate into his songs.

He shared: "If you want to be very unique, you can use the suona instead of the synthesiser. That would be dope. If you want to sound sad, you can use the erhu to make melody lines."

"For example, the erhu in ‘Mask Off’ ('Veil') isn’t especially melancholic. Rather, it’s more psyched and fleeting, and the playing technique was different. It depends on how you complement the instrument with the track on the whole. When we approach [the track] with an M-pop structure, I hope to highlight its role in leading the track. You can’t have too much because once it’s out there, you can’t pull it back. Such elements should appear at the most iconic parts to make everyone go, 'Wow, what’s this?' That’s the most special feeling. Traditional Chinese music should be appropriately integrated into the right places — it can’t be too overt or too subtle. It has to be just right," elaborated LAY. 

But the soloist refused to take full credit for the feat when asked if it was his talent alone that allowed him to achieve it.

"Actually, this is the culmination of everyone’s efforts. Lots of friends are involved in making music now, [and] this is something I did with everyone," said LAY. 

Of the many hats that LAY wears, one is that of the head of Chromosome Entertainment Group.

Founded back in 2020, the Changsha-based entertainment agency is an initiative through which he shows his commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists. 

"From an age perspective, there’s definitely a generational gap. These kids are only in their early teens, about 14 to 16 years old, while I’m already 31. There are definitely some things they say that I don’t understand, for example when they talk about their extracurriculars - you’re not in a position to understand it when you’ve never been involved in such activities," said LAY, drawing a few chuckles.

He continued: "But I hope they can focus on their growth and have many rich life experiences." 

Even though he has taken on the role of a leader and mentor in this facet of his career, LAY believes that there is still plenty to learn.

"First of all, I think that every entrepreneur is deserving of respect — they are incredible. For me, the biggest area of growth is being able to fill in my blind spots. There’s a lot I need to keep learning about. The second is that an artist shouldn’t be a CEO at the same time, it’s too exhausting. It’s not impossible, but you’d have to exert more time and effort than the average person," said LAY about his takeaways from his time as Chromosome Entertainment Group's CEO.

Credit: Bandwagon

Through it all, he remembers the one thing that his journey would not have been possible without.

When asked what he is unable to live without while on tour, LAY said: "I feel more at ease when I know my fans are there. I’ll be more relaxed. They’re like family."

Stream 西 (West) here: