On Lunar New Year, Filipino American singer-songwriter Yeek chose to begin the season not in silence, but in sound.
The artist welcomed 2026 with the release of “Stayin’ Low,” which is a track that feels an easy listen on the surface, yet layered with the kind of detail that rewards repeat plays.
The timing of the track also came with a message from the artist that reveals his mindset entering 2026. Reflecting on the current landscape of music and online culture, Yeek wrote, “In a new time where fast content is the new standard & numbers seem to matter more than ever, make time for the art that's for you first. See you in 2026.”
While many releases at the start of the year aim to be loud and attention-grabbing, Yeek took a different route. That sentiment echoes throughout the single, which feels patient, intentional, and rooted in craft.
Musically, “Stayin’ Low” carries the familiar DNA that listeners have come to expect from Yeek. Known for producing, writing, and singing his own material, Yeek continues to shape a sound that feels unmistakably his. His music has often been described as melancholic, soulful, and DIY-driven, and those elements remain present here, but “Stayin’ Low” leans further into groove.
It carries a warm pulse and the overall production glows with a smooth, almost hypnotic texture.
There’s a warmth in the production that pulls you in almost immediately, while the rhythm keeps things moving just enough to make it impossible not to nod along. There’s something about its flow that makes it easy to loop. It’s the kind of song that naturally gets your head nodding, whether you’re paying close attention or letting it play in the background of a late-night drive or a quiet afternoon.
If Yeek’s message was about making time for art that feels personal and unhurried, “Stayin’ Low” is proof of concept. With “Stayin’ Low,” Yeek proves that consistency doesn’t have to mean predictability. It can mean refining a sound, trusting your instincts, and letting the music speak at its own pace. And in a time when everything seems to be speeding up, that approach feels not just refreshing, but necessary.
Jason Tengco was appointed this week as the U.S. Office of Personnel Management White House liaison. The Biden-Harris administration has been releasing information on several appointees since the inauguration on January 20th. According to the Asian Journal, "the OPM serves as the chief human resources agency and personnel policy manager for the federal government".
"Biden wants to continue to build off of that significant progress and make sure that we have diverse, talented individuals in his administration."
Jason Tengco
"More than 85% of OPM First Week appointees identify as people of color, women, or LGBTQ.” This is what Tengco hoped when jumping back into politics. A commitment to diversifying leaders in an administration.
Since Tengco has valuable experiences in civil service, he will continue that work as part of the Office of Personnel Management agency. His interest in political activism started at the University of California, Los Angeles with a political science degree. Previous positions he held involved community outreach:
1. Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) outreach lead in the Biden-Harris transition team; AAPI outreach director for Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016.
2. Coalitions chief of staff during the Biden-Harris campaign to urge minority groups to get out and vote.
3. Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on AAPIs during the Obama administration.
4. Executive Director then a Senior Advisor for the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)
The article closes with a quote that has stuck with Tengco, a reminder of why he chased his passion, "No history, No self. Know history, know self."
*Cover Photo Credit: Asian Journal and NaFFAA National Instagram
