2x-Grammy-nominated artist Steve Aoki, multi platinum vocalist MAX and the “Queen of C-Pop” Jolin come together on “Equal In The Darkness.” Aoki’s electronic soundscape is enhanced by MAX and Jolin’s impassioned vocal delivery, where they take turns singing the verses and harmonizing as one on the earworm chorus. The lyrics speak to the commonalities that we all have as humans; no matter where we come from, we are all digging through the darkness and searching for answers and love. “Equal In The Darkness” is out now via Liquid State, the Tencent Music and Sony Music joint venture label dedicated to forging groundbreaking global collaborations across the dance music space.
“Equal In The Darkness” arrives with both an English version and a Chinese version, showcasing MAX and Jolin’s impressive foreign language skills. Fans who attended Lollapalooza over the summer, received an early taste of the English version when MAX joined Steve Aoki on stage to perform the new song for the first time ever during Aoki’s Thursday night headline set. The never-heard-before Chinese version features Taipei-based singer Jolin delivering a stirring performance, alongside New York’s MAX, who also sings his verses in Mandarin, a language he newly learned to record this song.
“The lyrical delivery in this song is so beautiful,” states Steve Aoki. “The message behind it is universal, and I’m so happy to have been a part of the creation of it. This song represents the idea that no matter where you are from or who you are, we are all just people in the darkness, equal in the darkness. I am very excited to bring all of my passion and heart into this project with Jolin and MAX. We were able to collaborate across time zones and nationalities, and I think we were able to create something special.”
MAX adds, “It was such an honor and pleasure to learn Mandarin for this song for the first time and to be alongside such legendary artists like Jolin and Steve Aoki. Steve and I have been friendly and working together for a long time and Jolin is so unbelievably talented – this was a meant to be collaboration.”
“Steve is a such a brilliant musician with the most creative ideas, and MAX has these outstanding vocals which make people stop what they are doing and instantly feel the story that is being told,” Jolin states. “I’m so honoured to work with these great artists on Equal in the Darkness, and I’m touched by the meaning behind the lyrics with this record. I hope everybody will be, too.”
