Naarm/Melbourne-based indie-pop artist moonsea (Cecilia Xu) has unveiled her latest single ‘Sensitive’ alongside a heartwarming music video. With a unique blend of electronic and pop influences, moonsea’s music is intimate and tender, navigating a spectrum of emotions while celebrating the strength and beauty of embracing one’s sensitivity.
moonsea’s musical journey began after moving from Auckland, New Zealand to Melbourne in 2013 to pursue medicine. While at university, she explored music production and released two EPs under her former alias, Sympholily, titled ‘Lights’ (2017) and ‘Baby Blue’ (2020).
In late 2020, moonsea embarked on a transformative mentorship with Sophie Payten (Gordi) through the Women In Music program. As accomplished doctors and musicians, Payten offered invaluable guidance and profound insights into harmonizing these dual roles. The mentorship paved the way for her new artistic endeavour, moonsea, a name derived from her Chinese moniker, 海 (ocean) 明 (bright). In 2022, moonsea collaborated with Sydney producer Xavier Dunn, a fellow aficionado of classical music, to release her debut single, ‘Lullabye’.
Now, following up her debut single is ‘Sensitive’, a slow-building, empowering indie-pop track that radiates a feel-good, uplifting energy. The track opens with an innocent and vulnerable verse led by keys and moonsea’s feathery vocals as layers of percussion and synths ornament the space. The choruses build with energy like a tentative rebellion before the post-choruses kick in, where the track soars into a euphoric celebration, sweeping you up in swirling guitars like a joyful hug.
‘Sensitive’ encapsulates the power and beauty of embracing one’s sensitivity. Drawing from her own experiences, moonsea acknowledges the challenges of being an emotionally attuned individual yet ultimately celebrates it as a unique strength.
She eloquently shares, “I grew up as a pretty sensitive kid. I would cry readily, laugh unreservedly and feel things fully and deeply. This got the well-meaning adults in my life worried. If I cried every time I heard a sad story, saw a bug get squashed or got told off by a teacher, how would I make it through this life in one piece?“
Enduring the challenge of existing in a world that felt overwhelming, this emotional depth took its toll on her, carrying the weight of what felt like an immense burden. However, over time, she came to a profound realization, noting, “being sensitive could possibly be a good thing, a superpower even. Some of the strongest and most empathetic women were sensitive kids. Feeling deeply allows you to experience the depth of the human experience and connect with other people in a really meaningful way.”
The accompanying music video paints a touching narrative set at the Moonville Talent show, where Cece Moon enters herself ten times, embodying various acts in a bid to impress the formidable judges. From miming to magic, puppetry to rock stardom, Cece Moon perseveres until she finally captivates the judges.
moonsea’s ‘Sensitive’ and its endearing music video epitomize vulnerability, tenderness, empowerment, and inspiration. The song urges listeners to recognize that feeling deeply allows for a richer understanding of the human experience and fosters genuine connections with others. It’s a tribute to the resilient spirit that comes from navigating life with a sensitive heart, affirming that vulnerability is not a weakness but a powerful superpower.
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/moonseamus
https://www.instagram.com/moonseamusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@moonseamusic
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Odj5xACbdF49TGqBBIa75?si=fHjWvm-bTPm8jcCRMZFWgA
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/moonsea/1615850432
https://www.youtube.com/moonseamus
https://www.abc.net.au/triplejunearthed/artist/moonsea/
