alan vuong Drops New Single “SAUDADE” Ahead of EP ‘HEAVEN SENT ME’

Photo Courtesy of 1141 SOUND

It’s rare for an artist to pivot their sound and pull it off, but alan vuong makes it look effortless. Ahead of his upcoming EP, HEAVEN SENT ME, the independent Vietnamese-American artist released “SAUDADE,” a dreamy, nostalgia-laced ballad made for late-night driving. 

As his grandest sonic vision yet, the song blends ‘90s pop influences with post-punk beats that sound fresh, leaving us counting down the days until the full project arrives June 26.

What makes this release even more impressive is that the 23-year-old Southern California hitmaker is doing everything on his own. He’s truly indie—he operates with no label, no management, and no distribution deal. Yet, his signature R&B flow and neon soundscapes have already won the hearts of millions, pulling in over 120 million total Spotify streams ahead of this announcement. 

In fact, the upcoming project’s first single, “DEEP IN YOUR SOUL,” already racked up over 40 million streams by itself. Along with other fan-favorites like “TELL ‘EM YOU’RE MINE” and “TOO LATE FOR YOU,” alan vuong has proven he's a hit machine before the EP has even dropped. 

With “SAUDADE,” the prodigy bridges the gap between his SoundCloud rap background and a new indie, R&B, and nu-psychedelic rock sound, which borrows dreamy, reverb-heavy guitars and synth textures of old-school rock, giving them a smooth, modern edge. The track plays like a cinematic meditation on ideals and illusions, capturing that specific, dazed and confused feeling of late-night reflection. 

When talking about the inspiration behind the track, alan explained that the heavy title saudade carries a deep, emotional weight and longing for a past love.

“The meaning of ‘saudade’ is a profound emotional state of melancholic longing for an absent, beloved person, place, or time, often coupled with the knowledge that the object of longing may never return. This song was written about two souls that maybe were together in a past life, in hopes and efforts that they’d find each other again.”

Photo Courtesy of 1141 SOUND

Musically, his songs nail the feeling of cruising through downtown LA freeways at 3 AM. This track in particular blends 2010s Southern California indie rock with his sleek production, balancing post-punk rhythms with dazzling falsettos and unforgettable hooks. 

It’s a stunning preview of HEAVEN SENT ME, a nine-track project he’s been working on since 2022 that runs through “HEAVEN SENT,” “DEEP IN YOUR SOUL,” “TELL ‘EM YOU’RE MINE,” “RESURRECTION,” “FOR CERTAIN,” “DREAMWORLD,” “TIME AFTER TIME,” “SAUDADE,” and “TOO LATE FOR YOU.”

alan revealed that these songs were originally meant for a different project, but he loved creating them so much that he chose to release them under his own name. To him, this specific era is a reminder to himself to never stop growing as an independent artist.

“I’ve been working on HEAVEN SENT ME since 2022 and it was actually meant for something different that I was working on, but I enjoyed working on it so much that I wanted to release these new sounds as ‘alan vuong.’ I felt as if in my heart, I wanted to do more and wanted to keep seeing what else I can do as an individual. At this point in time, this body of work is a symbol for me to keep evolving, to never box myself in and to chase what else God and life have in store for me. I believe this project is the first step in that direction, and beyond that, I can’t wait to share so much more of what’s to come.”

While the new era leaves us with more questions than answers, the artist has never sounded more assured. After keeping things low-key, he’s ready to step out of the mysterious shadows and into the spotlight.

He already proved his drawing power with a sold-out hometown debut at the Constellation Room in Santa Ana, California, back in February. The first live show featured openers Texas-based indie artist Elias alongside Sultan Dè, a Chicago-based R&B artist known for weaving alternative pop and neo-soul into nostalgic, emotionally rich tracks. 

Next, he’s taking his ambitious vision on the road for his first major city headline debuts. He played a sold-out show at The Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles on May 23. Sharing the stage with him for the big night were local LA indie electronic-dance band Last Known Species and R&B singer-producer Mercydaone, whose smooth vocals and atmospheric tracks have built a dedicated independent following.

If you’re on the East Coast, he will be heading to The Mercury Lounge in New York City on June 24—just two days before HEAVEN SENT ME drops on June 26, making it a perfect send-off into the EP’s release. Joining him on the lineup is New Jersey R&B and soul singer Isaiah Kaleo, an artist gaining serious momentum for his buttery falsettos and moody lyricism on his latest EP, icymi. 

You can grab your tickets here before they sell out. You can also stream the new single “SAUDADE” here to get a taste of what's coming!

Are you already blasting “SAUDADE” on your late-night drives? Will you be catching alan vuong live at his upcoming headline shows in LA or NYC this summer? Let us know in the comments or reach out to us on Instagram or X.

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Edited by Anderson Longenecker