In a captivating blend of cultural roots and contemporary sound, Thomas Ng's latest release "Come To Me" marks a significant milestone as his first Mandarin/English bilingual track. This musical journey represents more than just a new song—it's a deeply personal reconnection with heritage. The track seamlessly weaves poetic Mandarin lyrics with R&B grooves, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
The creative process wasn't without challenges, particularly when adapting to the different tonal qualities required for Mandarin vocals compared to English. Yet this exploration of linguistic and cultural identity has opened new artistic pathways, with the artist now working on a debut album while contemplating future bilingual releases. "Come To Me" stands as a testament to belonging and self-discovery, carrying a powerful message for listeners who may feel disconnected from their cultural roots: "it's okay to feel detached sometimes... but it doesn't hurt to try."
"Come To Me" is your first Mandarin/English release. What specific challenges did you face when writing and recording in two languages, and what surprised you most about the process?
This was actually my first time ever singing an original in Mandarin. I really wanted the melody and vibe to still feel very me—which, surprisingly, wasn’t too hard because I grew up listening to artists like Khalil Fong, Jay Chou, and David Tao. It felt like tapping into this deeper, almost-forgotten part of myself.
The real challenge came with singing it. I’m so used to a certain tone and timbre when I sing in English, and Mandarin was a whole new world. Luckily, Echo Huang—who helped me write the lyrics—was there to guide me a bit, even though I’m sure my accent still sounds a little choppy.
What surprised me most was that, honestly, it didn’t sound as bad as I expected—at least from my perspective. Once I got used to the flow of the words, it actually felt really natural.
"Come to Me" Music Video
You've mentioned feeling disconnected from your mother tongue. Can you share more about your personal journey of reconnecting with Mandarin and how that influenced your creative approach?
I was born in the UK and raised in Hong Kong, but I’ve always been around English speakers, so I just naturally leaned into English for everything.
But recently, I traveled to China with my family and that trip really hit something in me—it reminded me of the music I used to love but hadn’t listened to in ages. It kind of reignited that connection.
Mandarin is such a beautiful language. Lyrically, I actually think there’s more freedom to be poetic and expressive, which really influenced how I approached the song.
The song speaks to being a steadfast presence during difficult times. Was there a specific experience or relationship that inspired these lyrics?
Not one specific moment, but just… relationships in general. Whether it’s family, friends, or lovers—there are always going to be ups and downs.
But for me, true love is about being there through all of it—accepting each other despite the insecurities and hardships. That’s the core of what I wanted this song to express.
How has your relationship with your identity evolved throughout your music career, and how is that evolution reflected in "Come To Me"?
I started out not really knowing what I was doing—and honestly, in some ways, I still don’t. But over time, I’ve experimented with things I never thought I’d try, and sometimes I find that sweet spot between what feels good to me and what resonates with listeners.
With Come To Me, I wanted to try something new that still felt like home. Singing in Mandarin over an old-school-meets-new-school R&B groove was something I’ve always wanted to do, so I figured—why wait?
What aspects of Chinese musical traditions or sensibilities did you incorporate into this track, if any?
Lyrically, I tried to keep it poetic in the way a lot of Mandarin songs are—there’s something really elegant about that style.
I also threw in a few melodic motifs and even some cliché lines from classic Mandarin songs—just little Easter eggs for fun, and as a kind of tribute to the music I grew up with.
Your influences range from Jay Chou, Khalil Fong, to Daniel Caesar. Do you have a specific memory attached to any of your favorite artists that helped shape you into the artist you are today?
This is kinda random—but when I was 8 or 9, I was practicing my Chinese handwriting in my mom’s room, blasting Jay Chou. I was lip-syncing and humming along like I was in a music video.
Then suddenly, I realized there was a bee right in front of me the whole time—I panicked like crazy. I literally thought the buzzing was part of the track.
But that just shows how lost I was in the music. I’ll never forget that day—or that album.
You describe this song as a "deeply personal statement of belonging and self-discovery." What do you hope listeners who may be struggling with their cultural identity take away from it?
I just hope people know that it’s okay to feel detached sometimes. And it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Growing up in Hong Kong without speaking fluent Cantonese, I definitely felt a bit out of place—even though culturally, I didn’t feel different.
But I think the important thing is: it doesn’t hurt to try. That’s really what I want people to take away from the song.
As you continue to embrace your roots, how do you see your sound evolving in future projects? Will you continue exploring bilingual songwriting?
Definitely. I want to keep exploring new sounds and ideas while solidifying my identity as an artist.
Bilingual songs are something I want to keep trying—and who knows, maybe I’ll even release a fully Mandarin track down the line.
Beyond music, what outlets do you explore to express yourself?
That’s a tough one—music’s kind of become my everything. It’s how I process things, how I express myself… it’s just such a huge part of my life.
But if I had more time, I’d love to get into filmmaking or animation. I think there are so many stories and perspectives that haven’t really been explored visually—and I’d love to help bring those to life one day.
What can we expect from you next?
I’m currently working on my debut album—it’s still a work in progress, but I’ve got high hopes for it.
Also hoping to play more shows and share the new music with everyone soon.