Firdhaus Opens up About Songwriting and His Love of Ballads
In this lifetime, we get to meet people who wear their feelings on their sleeves — the kind of people who are not afraid to showcase their vulnerability. Some people express that openness in quiet conversations, others through art in its many forms. For artists like Firdhaus, however, emotion finds its home in songwriting.
For the 27-year-old artist, being a singer-songwriter has always been more than just his bread and butter: it is also his greatest creative outlet. Born in Malaysia, Firdhaus has made a name for himself in the Mandopop scene and first gained massive recognition during the pandemic. That song is the Mandarin-language single “Gulf of Alaska,” an emotional ballad that almost feels like a tender prayer, expressing deep longing for a love that once was. It explores themes of loss, which resonated with listeners during the difficult days of the pandemic.
At that point, it was clear that Firdhaus wasn’t just any other singer — he also had a story to tell, a story he’s not afraid to share through his music, one song at a time. After gaining widespread attention due to the track, which currently boasts more than 34 million streams on Spotify, the singer-songwriter proved he’s more than just a one-hit wonder. He followed it up with more releases, all rooted in his usual and go-to genre, and the one he loves the most: ballads.
Firdhaus Has Always Had a Soft Spot for Ballads
After “Gulf of Alaska” went viral, his singing career didn’t stop there. He has since then released more songs and even collaborated with other artists, with his first full-length album — titled Up & Down (人生，起起落落落落落?) — released in 2022. That record highlighted not only Firdhaus’ soothing voice, but also his knack for songwriting. And that passion didn’t just happen overnight; it’s the very drive that has fueled him since he was a kid, and he found inspiration through Justin Bieber. Unlike Bieber, though, who started young, Firdhaus was naturally shy. Luckily, he didn’t let that shyness take over, and immediately pursued a career in music.
“I’m just a normal guy who loves to write ballads. I think when I saw Justin Bieber’s documentary 'Never Say Never,' that’s when the thought of wanting to pursue a music career came to me. Since I was a kid, I felt that I could sing. I was just extremely shy, so I never really showed anyone in the early days,” said Firdhaus.
Similar to other artists, Firdhaus has his own role models and musical influences. He cited Taiwanese singer-songwriter Jay Chou and English musician Ed Sheeran as his key inspirations when it comes to songwriting and crafting heartfelt melodies. “Jay Chou was someone who made me realise that a singer could also write their own songs, and I also remember I watched Ed Sheeran’s live performance of 'Lego House' when I was a kid, and it really inspired me to write my own music,” the singer recalled. If given the opportunity to collaborate with any artist, he shared, “Gareth T is someone that I would love to collaborate with as I feel like our music could really [merge] together really well.”
Perhaps even more interesting, Firdhaus — born Muhammad Firdhaus bin Farmizi — was born into a traditional Malay family, and his parents only spoke Malay and English. He then learned Chinese when he attended a Chinese independent school from kindergarten through secondary level, in his parents’ attempt to provide him with a strong foundation in Chinese education. That soon paid off. The language didn’t just give him an upper hand, being a multilingual artist able to connect with diverse audiences, but also allowed him to permeate the Mandopop scene, with a versatile and growing catalog. But his music wasn’t just confined to one scene, having reached listeners beyond borders.
“I feel like I drew a lot of inspiration from Ed’s songwriting. The way he could use the simplest words to convey a human emotion. And I feel like that is the reason non-Chinese speakers could also relate to my music,” he shared.
Inside Firdhaus’ Songwriting Process
Each artist has their own different process; some plan every lyric and melody meticulously, while others prefer to improvise and let inspiration strike in the moment. But for Firdhaus, he lets the creative juices flow naturally. If there’s one thing people should know about Firdhaus, it’s that he’s a thoughtful artist. He treats his craft with care and with much intention. He is known for his profound and deeply personal lyricism. But what does his creative process usually look like when writing a song?
“The inspiration can come from everywhere. A quote that I see online, a melody, or even a phrase. And then I’ll start from there. It’s like a puzzle for me. Piece by piece. Notes by notes. So there’s not really a fixed way for me to write a song,” he said.
Firdhaus released his second studio album, 619 (六一九), just last year. Of course, it’s also not devoid of ballads. After all, it wouldn’t be a Firdhaus album without any ballads. In the album, Firdhaus continues to build on his strengths in Mandopop and ballad songwriting, delivering emotionally driven tracks that reflect his personal experiences over the years. Each song is crafted with care, showcasing his growth as both a vocalist and a songwriter while remaining rooted in the personal songwriting that has come to define his music.
When asked about a song of his that he considers his favorite, his answer was “能遇見，就很不錯了 (To Have Met You, Is Good Enough),” the eighth track from his second album. Understandably, the song is a tender, heartfelt ballad about finding the person who feels like home through life’s chaos, and that finding that special person is good enough, amidst life’s uncertainties and imperfections. “‘能遇見，就很不錯了’ is my favourite song that I’ve written. For me, it’s a perfect song. From the title to the lyrics to the melody. Simple yet beautiful,” Firdhaus shared.
While the singer has his favorite track (as is the case with almost every singer out there), he refuses to answer the track from his second album that he’s most proud of. The album just holds a special place in his heart, with each track representing a personal story and a piece of his journey as an artist. “I couldn’t choose just one song as it’s a special album in my heart. It may not have a lot of big hits, but it’s a very personal album for me. It captures whatever I’ve been through or felt for the past year,” he remarked.
As a Malay singer with a largely Chinese fanbase, fans (especially from Malaysia) are hoping he’ll expand his catalog more into Malay-language music. He’s not ruling out any possibilities, admitting that it’s something he’d love to do, though he prefers to let it happen naturally. “I would love to. But I won’t force anything. Leave it to God’s plan,” he said. And he would very much love to explore dance music in the future, if such an opportunity arises.
Who Is Firdhaus Beyond Music and Songwriting?
While Firdhaus is best known for his songs and penchant for writing emotionally-charged ones, there’s much more to the artist beyond the stage. He describes himself humbly, saying, “Just a guy that’s searching for the meaning of life. A flawed human being yet trying to be a better, kinder person every single day."
Some fans are curious about a different outcome, and we’re sure that fans of Firdhaus are curious about a career he would’ve pursued if he weren’t a singer. And while singing has always been his dream, he’s perhaps open-minded about possibilities, saying, “Maybe a writer? Or a photographer?” When asked about some facts about himself that fans may not know yet, he added:
“I think they know everything about me as I'm a very open person. I would say I’ve been really into tennis lately,” said Firdhaus, sharing what he enjoys doing outside of music and performing. “I wish I had a more interesting answer, but playing FIFA on my PS5.”
Firdhaus has truly taken the Mandopop scene by storm, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. After closing his world tour earlier this year, he plans to continue releasing songs consistently throughout the year. “The plan for this year would be to release a few songs. And also kick start a new tour by the end of the year.”
Follow Firdhaus on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about his music, get a peek into his daily life and behind-the-scenes moments, and stay updated on his upcoming releases and future tour details. If you'd like to listen to his music, follow him on Spotify.
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