Malaysian singer-songwriter Daiyan Trisha exudes wit, poise and confidence. The minute she steps up to the podium to introduce her latest music project, her playful humour instantly brightens the mood in the dimly lit restaurant. But as we settle into one of the VIP lounges for our interview, Daiyan candidly admits that she had been feeling nervous the whole time – and for good reason.
Four years after releasing her self-titled debut album, the 30-year-old has finally unveiled her second album Lovelorn , which had been brewing since 2019. The 11-track project, centring on the absence of love, encapsulates Daiyan’s turbulent relationships over the past five years. “Releasing this album was so important to me because it’s me going back to myself,” she tells StarLifestyle during this interview in Kuala Lumpur.
“Ever since I put music in the backseat, I felt the need to share all the songs I have worked on. This album marks a new beginning as I no longer feel like I owe myself anything.” Working on Lovelorn was a “spiritual and reflective” experience for Daiyan, who had been on a journey to understand herself better.
After releasing her single Penat in 2021, she paused her music career to focus on acting. The following year, Daiyan starred opposite actor Ben Amir in the 20-episode drama Tetuan Ang & Rahimin and collaborated with Zizan Razak on the movie Rompak . She found herself busier than ever in 2023, landing major supporting roles in the hit series Projek: .