At first listen, Golden Hour feels like a memory—soft light through a plane window, fleeting and tender. But behind this soul-infused track lies a story of movement, creative connection, and what it means to make music across borders.
Filipino soul-pop artist Muri, known for her earlier work as the violinist of Manila’s indie folk band The Ransom Collective, returns with a new voice and vision. In collaboration with Tokyo-based producer Shigge, Golden Hour marks the first single off their upcoming joint EP SETSUNA, a project shaped across continents and soundscapes.
From Manila to Paris—and Back Again
Born Muriel Gonzales, Muri has spent the last few years living between Manila, London, and Paris, where she recorded her debut solo EP 11ème during lockdown. That record, released in 2024, drew praise from Billboard Philippines, NME, and Bandwagon for its blend of indie R&B, soul-pop, and introspective lyricism.
“Let your music change with you,” she says. “I’m not interested in staying in one genre—or one version of myself.”
That mindset led her to a songwriting camp during the AXEAN Festival in Bali, where she met Shigge. What began as a spontaneous late-night studio session turned into months of remote collaboration—passing files and ideas between Tokyo, London, and Manila.
What Golden Hour Sounds Like
This isn’t dancefloor music—it’s after the dance music.
Keys shimmer like a late sunset. A lo-fi beat pulses in the background. Muri’s voice—silky, close, confessional—floats above it all. There’s space in the song, a quiet tension that makes you lean in.
“Shigge’s music felt really forward-thinking,” Muri says. “I knew we could create a sound world that fused our styles.”
Golden Hour is the first track from SETSUNA—a Japanese word that suggests a fleeting moment in time. The rest of the EP promises ambient textures, minimalist grooves, and emotional clarity, grounded in Muri’s evolving sonic identity.
Why This Moment Matters
Muri’s journey echoes the experience of many young, globally mobile Filipinos—raised here, shaped abroad, and navigating life between cultures. She’s not chasing trends; she’s tracing her transformation.
From violinist in a beloved local band to soul-pop artist performing at SXSW 2025, AXEAN Bali, and Bangkok Music City, she’s showing what it means to grow with intention.
Her music asks: How do you stay Filipino when your life spans three cities? How do you find your voice again after leaving home?
The Collaboration: A Shared Sonic Language
Golden Hour isn’t just a one-off collab. It’s the start of a partnership built on restraint, groove, and mutual curiosity. Shigge—known for his lush, analog-tinged beats—creates soundscapes that invite Muri’s voice to shine without crowding it.
They’ve found a shared language: one that spans house, soul, and ambient—but always returns to feeling.
Who Is Shigge?
Shigge is a Tokyo-based producer and DJ known for his work in Japan’s electronic and lo-fi house scenes. His tracks blend analog textures with digital precision, creating immersive, emotionally textured grooves. He’s collaborated with acts like AmPm, Snowk, and starRo, with past projects earning support from platforms like BBC Radio 6 and VICE Japan.
Golden Hour marks his first major collaboration with a Filipino artist.
Listen and Follow
Pre-save Golden Hour here
Follow Muri: Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / TikTok / Twitter
Follow Shigge: Instagram / YouTube / TikTok / Twitter
“It’s not just a song,” Muri says. “It’s a shared world—built from different corners of the map, but rooted in the same feeling.”
Tour Dates
Muri and Shigge will perform Golden Hour live in two cities this July and August:
July 22 & 24 – Tokyo, Japan
August 1 & 2 – Makati City, Philippines
Follow their social media pages for updates on tickets and venue announcements.
