“I don’t view it as a comeback. It feels like presenting a whole new artist. I have a new team around me, and I have become the boss of my life. Now there’s no compromise anymore.” Let’s welcome the new era of Felix Sandman, who returns with his second album, Yue—and soon, we’ll unveil the meaning behind this title. After stepping away from the music world for a while, he’s back. Not as we once knew him, but fresher, more grounded, and more himself than ever.
We’ve all been through rough patches, and when music becomes the soundtrack to that turmoil, it rarely ends well—just look at all the cautionary tales out there. Felix was just fourteen when he stepped into the industry with the band FO&O. They became international stars and stayed together for four years until he made the decision to go solo. That’s when his individual journey truly began. His debut album, Emotions, was the first step toward discovering his own sound. But, of course, it was only the beginning.
So, what is Yue? In Chinese, Yue means “moon,” but it’s also the name of a character from Avatar: The Last Airbender, who gives her soul to illuminate the night sky. That’s the essence of this new Felix—rising from the darkness and embracing the process of becoming. Revealing your true self isn’t easy, which is why he first released Sandy Karlo, an EP that serves as a prelude to the album. In it, we get a glimpse of the R&B-driven sound that shapes Yue, with tracks like Luna’s Interlude, Babymoma, and Balcony Memo.
The rest of the album peels back even more layers. It kicks off with This Time (Intro), a self-fulfilling prophecy of success, marking the moment he fully steps into his voice. Then comes Nylon, a sonic exploration of the conversations that emerge in the process of self-discovery, delivered through shifting vocal tones—almost as if multiple characters were speaking. Nakisamawe is a portrait of ambition, desire, love, and what’s yet to come, echoing the stylings of Tyler, The Creator. Next up is In Love—the title says it all, so you can probably guess the theme. Yue closes with FoRe (feat. Haley Bridge), posing the ultimate question: Is the pain we endure, the effort we put in, and the love we give truly worth it? Probably yes, but the doubt always lingers. Yue closes with FoRe (feat. Haley Bridge), asking the ultimate question: Is the pain we endure, the effort we put in, and the love we give all worth it? Probably yes, but the doubt always lingers.