For many artists, heartbreak becomes the inspiration for a song. For Singapore-based singer-songwriter and producer lullaboy, it became the foundation of an entire musical journey.
With more than 200 million streams across platforms, a steadily growing fanbase throughout Southeast Asia, and a reputation for crafting deeply personal songs about love, loss, and self-discovery, lullaboy has established himself as one of the region’s standout independent artists.
Born in the United States, raised in Singapore, and of Indonesian-Chinese heritage, the Berklee College of Music graduate has performed at major festivals and concert stages across Asia. He has also completed successful regional headline tours and was selected to close the official afterparties for all six Singapore shows of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour. Despite his growing success, his music remains rooted in vulnerability and emotional honesty.
“‘Lullaboy’ comes from the words ‘lullaby’ and ‘boy,’ because writing songs was always a way for me to comfort my inner child,” he shared. “Even today, I write songs about love, life, and everything in between, and I hope they can bring comfort to everybody’s inner child.”
Music with a purpose
Songwriting became more than a creative outlet after lullaboy experienced his first heartbreak. What started as a way to process difficult emotions eventually evolved into a mission of helping others navigate similar experiences.
“As I released more songs, people started sending me messages saying they helped them through difficult seasons,” he said. “That’s when I realized sharing my own stories could make a positive impact on other people’s lives. I don’t just make music for fun anymore—I do it because I feel like it’s my purpose.”
That philosophy serves as the foundation of “Hotels & Heartbreaks,” his third studio album and the centerpiece of his ongoing nine-city Asia tour.
Rather than simply presenting a collection of songs, the album invites listeners to “check in hurt and check out healed,” taking them through an emotional journey of heartbreak, reflection, acceptance, and hope. Its 12 interconnected tracks and accompanying visualizers were designed to tell one continuous story, allowing listeners to find pieces of their own experiences within the narrative.
Finding hope after heartbreak
The concept behind Hotels & Heartbreaks emerged during lullaboy’s travels as a touring musician.
“I was staying in all these beautiful hotels while touring,” he recalled. “At the end of the day, I’d lie on my bed and ask myself, ‘What’s it all for?’ You can achieve your biggest dreams, but if you don’t have love or someone to share them with, it does not necessarily bring happiness.”
For lullaboy, the metaphorical “heartbreak hotel” represents a place everyone must eventually pass through before finding healing.
“This album is actually an album of hope,” he said.
A special connection with the Philippines
The Philippines holds a particularly meaningful place in lullaboy’s journey.
Long before returning as a touring artist, he first visited the country as a young worship leader doing mission work. Those early experiences, combined with the warmth he received from Filipino communities, left a lasting impression.
“I remember telling myself that one day I would come back here as an artist,” he shared. “Then last year, I finally did my first concert in Manila, and I was blown away by how much warmth there was from the people. They sing really loud, they have beautiful voices. I’ve been waiting for this moment. I think the Lullafam knows how much I love the Philippines.”
His return to Manila on July 17 marks one of the highlights of his biggest Asia tour to date, which also includes stops in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
The live show is designed as an immersive experience that blends music, storytelling, and audience interaction, encouraging concertgoers to leave behind their emotional baggage before “checking out” with a renewed sense of hope.
A journey from heartbreak to healing
For first-time listeners, lullaboy recommends starting with “Someone Like You,” followed by “Shortcut to Heaven,” before ending with “Heaven.” The sequence mirrors the emotional progression at the heart of Hotels & Heartbreaks.
Ultimately, that message of healing is what he hopes audiences will carry with them.
“Heartbreak isn’t the end,” lullaboy reflected. “It’s something we all need to go through because it teaches us what truly matters. If I can get through heartbreak, anybody can.”
As lullaboy returns to Manila, Hotels & Heartbreaks offers more than just an evening of live music. It invites audiences into a deeply personal story of love, loss, resilience, and hope—reminding listeners that even life’s most painful chapters can lead to healing and new beginnings.
