Gratitude is a catalyst for happiness. Sounds of My Life is an album dedicated to the people, the environment and the upbringing WeiBird received growing up. After the passing of family members, contract disputes and life’s ups-and-downs, he has returned to the most simple yet real emotions. For someone who is admittedly terrible at saying goodbye, he recorded conversations with his grandma as well as peaceful Buddhist scripture recitals from his grandpa’s funeral. “I’m very close to my grandma. My grandma raised me for a long period of time while growing up. Apart from dedicating part of this album to my grandma, I also wanted to record her voice so I can always go back and listen to it again and again,” WeiBird tells Apple Music. True to its name, this album compiles sounds from his everyday life. He chooses to pass the microphone to others: his beloved cat, venting from the broken-hearted and reminders from his teachers. He explains, “This is written for everyone in my life. The energy for my motivation draws from everybody.” Musically, WeiBird returns to simplicity after previous attempts at forging a new style (particularly 2014’s Journey Into the Night). Under the surface of seamless pop, rock and R&B arrangements, he writes convincing and moving stories using those live recordings as well as back-to-basics songwriting. Meanwhile, he eschews typical pop formulae and breaks out of the “idol mould” he was previously known for.