Lian Dyogi tells you to shoot your shot now on ‘Only Have Today’
Singer-songwriter Lian Dyogi switches gears from mellow piano-assisted ballads to electro-pop with the track “Only Have Today.”
Lian had a hand in writing the track with Grammy-nominated artist Alih Jey and Grammy-nominated producer Lugo Gonzalez, yet the lyrics still manage to feel personal. She explains, “Inspired by long-distance love in the pandemic, this electro-pop track is a call to be brave in each imperfect fleeting moment.” Gonzalez, who also produced the track, incorporates a Latin-inspired beat that adds a bounce to the track.
Her electro-pop foray does not chip away at her sentimentality, the track, where she narrates an idyllic recollection of meeting someone during an uncertain time, is still full of warmth as her lyrics, despite its dance craze potential. With the love-soaked jam that takes after her real-life pandemic romance, Lian reaches deep into her emotions and pulls out an earnest vocal performance.
Lian Dyogi tells you to shoot your shot now on ‘Only Have Today’
The song is anchored by its chorus, a captivating earworm where Lian repeatedly posed the question: “If I, if I, if I only had today/Could I, could I, could I/Love you anyway.” It carries a subtle reminder for everyone to be wise with our choices as time can be unforgiving. It goes by swiftly, and we don’t have the luxury of being scared to try.
“You have to shoot your shot now,” Lian tells Metro.Style. “If you only had today, what kind of relationship do you want to have? What kind of love do you want to leave in the world? That’s inspired the song.”
The Kapamilya artist continues that “Only Have Today” is her entry for love songs, but, atypically, about a loving and healthy relationship. The track strays away from “dark, depressing” tunes or “hugot” anthems that are achingly relatable and marketable for Filipino listeners.
“You’re everything that I want, but I feel like running,” Lian sings. “Nothing lasts, but I won’t stop loving you /Holding my hand, I’m finally steady.” She eventually shakes off much of her doubts and has finally found peace and comfort in her lover’s arms.
The climactic chorus later fades into the Filipino language bridge: “Dito lang/Dito lang/Wanna be here now here now,” a common trend among P-pop artists’ songs written mostly in English, which sheds light on her writing work for Bini (Here With You and Kapit Lang), BGYO (Rocketman).
An unsung hero of P-Pop
Photo credits: Lian Dyogi
“Only Have Today” leaves the listeners’ heads nodding and wanting for more. Lian boldly departs from her distinct swoon-worthy ballads manifested in her debut album “Unang Hakbang” and Lo-Fi E.P “Dream Maker.” Nonetheless, leaping into another genre proves the songstress’ musical eclecticism, allows her to expand her sound and fully embrace modern pop.
Aside from her work as a solo artist, the 28-year-old has several writing credits over her four (4) years in the industry. She wrote singer-comedienne Kakai Bautista’s disco-funk track “Pag-ibig Ko’y Panalo” and original soundtracks (OST) of multiple Filipino drama series in her home network. The Kapamilya artist co-wrote “Patuloy Lang ang Lipad” for the superhero remake of “Darna,” she also lent her voice to the rendition of “Walang Hanggang Paalam” with Erik Santos for the same series name and” ‘Yun Ka” for “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”
If she’s not writing, Lian flexes her musical production chops. She recently produced Gail Banawis, mostly known as Struggail’s newest song, “Next 2 Me,” released last June.
More on her journey as a producer, which began in 2020, she candidly shares that she enrolled in a musical production class of famed composer Jimmy Antiporda and even started live-streaming her process on the Twitch platform. Soon, Lian flies to the United Kingdom to study for a two-year master’s degree in Electronic and Produced Music at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Unapologetically ‘nepo baby’
In the advent of ‘nepo baby’ discourse, a buzzword referring to offsprings of actors, musicians, or established industry names who have likely benefited from their relative’s fame and connections, Lian embraced it. She ditches her former artist name, “Lian Kyla,” and now dons her surname, owning up to her showbiz ties with her father, Star Magic head, and ABS-CBN executive Laurenti Dyogi.
It is no denying the perks of nepotism can be a formidable launch pad for a growing career. We have seen it before, and the creative industry definitely loves a familiar face. However, ‘nepo babies,’ those cut from the loin of nepotism, feel distraught as their individuality is reduced to their surname.
“So now, four years na ako sa industry and I feel more comfortable and confident in just owning my full name,” Lian explains in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
“And I think it makes me feel like there’s less to hide, wala namang kailangang itago. Pero it helps me just sort of like come out and show more of myself and show more of my talents to the world,” she adds.
Check out Lian’s “Only Have Today,” now available on music streaming platforms. For more details, follow Star Music on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube.
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