Mystical, mesmerising, and honestly, quite magical, youra has a knack for immersing her audience in a world of wonder and intrigue through her music. Characterised by her ethereal vocals and dream-like sound, the Korean singer-songwriter’s songs send you through a wave of emotion.

Threading between an array of genres, youra never sticks to one sound, wanting her music to stand out and speak for itself.

“In terms of genres, I’m not so sure myself, either. I’d just want my listeners to think of me as a smart and unique artist,” youra tells Bandwagon. 

“There were a lot of artists I listened to growing up regardless of what kind of music they made, and I think that explains why I want to inspire others through my music just like I was inspired by their music as well.”

 

 

 

 

 

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With a sound so alluring and a sense of artistry so enticing, it’s hard to believe that youra never set out to do music. In her early 20s, the ‘Pacemaker’ act explored an array of paths, from publishing to design but nothing really stuck the way that music did. 

“There wasn’t any particular moment that I decided to pursue a career in music and at first, it was just for fun,” she shares.

Like most young, aspiring artists, youra – whose real name is Kim Yura – initially ventured into the world of music on SoundCloud, sharing her original tracks to anyone willing to lend an ear. 

Through the years, the singer grew a community and even attracted the attention of artists from across the local music scene. 

youra officially debuted in 2018 with her single ‘my’ and later joined the reality music competition show, The Fan. Soon thereafter, the ‘Happy’ hitmaker rose through the ranks of Korean indie music, becoming one of today's most promising acts. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Earlier this year, youra released her latest EP, GAUSSIAN which served as the highly anticipated follow-up to her debut EP, B side. 

"In preparation for the release, I remember that I was telling my music video director that people would love the new album. I was so certain of it," she says.

And, long story short, people did. 

Recounting tales of sorrow and worry, GAUSSIAN brought to light the thoughts and musings youra has had throughout her musical journey. Spanning six tracks, each song feels like living through a beautiful, hazy dream. 

In particular, her lead single 'MIMI' was well sought-out, instantly becoming her most popular track to date. But, of course, being the sure and deliberate musician that she is, youra expected its success. 

"I somewhat expected that people would be into a song like 'MIMI' because of its lovely melody and a catchy chorus. I personally think the lyrics and top-line melodies are quite nice, too," she says. 

Looking back at the last three years, youra shares how she feels more in her element. Coming from B side, the singer has grown from an aspiring act to now one of the local indie scene's most exciting artists. 

"I feel I’ve grown as a musician when I practice singing or record songs these days because I feel far more comfortable than I felt before. Though I am still in the process of growing up, haha," the singer says. 

 "I feel like it’s getting better and better as I go forward with my musical journey."

Most recently, youra released her latest single 'Rawww'. Described as "a song of hope", the track comes as a compilation of the singer's thoughts and sights as she continues to yearn for the live stage and a chance to reunite with her fans all over the world. 

"I took from my notes and turned them into this music but as far as the lyrics go, it’s not that different from my other songs so I’m not sure if 'Rawww' really stands out," she shares. 

"I can't exactly remember what I had in mind then. It wasn’t really intentional but this song turned out to be just like my diary."

In just three short years, youra has gone far but it's only just the beginning. With a full-length album and international concerts still on her checklist, the singer-songwriter is set for bigger and greater things.

Listen to youra's latest single 'Rawww' here.