Muri, also known as Muriel Gonzales, has carved a unique niche in the music world with her ethereal blend of soulful melodies and iridescent synths. Her latest single, “Rêve-toi,” reflects her musical and personal journey, exploring themes of loss, acceptance and the hope of rekindling dreams.

“Rêve-toi,” which translates to “Wake up” in English, is a song about breaking free from illusions and finding hope in the midst of despair. 

“There are times where we experience breakthroughs — pivotal moments where we go from falling face down and ruminating on our failures and mistakes to realizing that’s a nonsense narrative on repeat,” said Muri who is based in London and Paris with roots in the Philippines. “It’s when you cut this conclusion and realize you can get out of it that you discover hope. And that’s the only spark you need.” 

The creation of “Rêve-toi” was deeply influenced by Muri’s experiences of loss, acceptance and the process of moving on. She describes the journey as “wobbly,” akin to navigating through a tunnel with glimpses of light at the end. 

“I was far away to have some perspective, to see where I was and how further I’ve come along, and that I could start rebuilding again, dreaming again,” said Muri who has received nominations at numerous awards, including “Wishclusive Contemporary R&B Performance of the Year” at the prestigious Wish Awards and “Favorite Female Artist” and “Best Remix Recording” at the Awit Awards (the Phillipines version of the Grammys).

“Rêve-toi” captures the essence of being in the in-between, a state where one is neither fully lost nor completely found but is gradually moving towards a new beginning.

Living in France for the past four years provided the backdrop for much of this introspection. The distance from home and the need to let go of self-imposed expectations allowed Muri to confront and accept her reality, eventually embracing the potential for new opportunities and dreams.

In “Rêve-toi,” Muri’s vision was to create a dreamy, lofty ambiance while maintaining a grounding presence. Collaborating with producer Sacha Arnaud, she layered feathery and light textures to evoke the ethereal experience she envisioned. The vocals, recorded to be strong and anchoring, guide the listener through the song’s journey, much like the reflection of the sky on water.

The creative process for “Rêve-toi” began with the pre-chorus lyrics: “Dream building, all willing, cut the conclusions they’re all illusions. Free falling, still coming, let it surprise me what I can’t see.” This grounding presence set the tone for the entire song, narrating the story of a meandering, doubtful persona through the verses and culminating in an uplifting, skyward chorus.

Through “Rêve-toi,” Muri hopes to convey that it’s okay to have dreams and sometimes let go of them. 

“There’s always a chance to rebuild and re-dream,” Muri said. “While you may feel loss, nothing is lost.” 

Muri’s music, influenced by UK indie underground, experimental sounds and artists who navigate mixed identities, aims to inspire and move listeners. Her aspirations for the future include collaborating with artists from Europe and Asia, injecting more Filipino musical elements into her work, and performing at music festivals worldwide.

Muri’s musical odyssey began at a young age with classical studies in piano and violin, influenced heavily by her grandfather.

“My grandfather was a jazz pianist and composer, known for some Filipino classics,” said Muri. “Music at home exposed me to a lot of jazz and he was the first to ‘teach’ me how to improvize. He wrote some simple jazz arrangements to which we jammed.”

Her early exposure to jazz and improvisation laid the foundation for her innovative style. 

Her transition from classical to contemporary music happened during her university years. She joined The Ransom Collective, a Manila-based indie folk band, and toured extensively across the Philippines and Asia. 

It was only after moving to France for further studies that Muri embarked on her solo journey, crafting her unique sound under the moniker Muri.

“Philippine music is very broad and varied, but its tendency to be very emotive and nostalgic has given me the freedom to write authentically and from the heart,” Muri said. “Being sentimental and vulnerable is very much welcomed and helps me to write feely and without fear of judgement. 

“We’re a very collective society so music is shared in the community,” she added. “I enjoy music because in this way its always allowed me to connect with people.”

Growing up in a musically rich environment, Muri was encouraged to explore and push boundaries, a trait she attributes to her grandfather’s legacy.

“In many ways I always feel I carry my grandfather’s influence in me, in how for his time he always liked to push the limits and go beyond the conventional,” Muri said. “That inspires me to do the same and keep innovating and exploring my style, going beyond expectations.”