Golden Melody Best New Artist Makav holds listening party for second album "Greater Waves"

Indigenous singer Makav, who swept the 35th Golden Melody Awards with her debut album, held a listening party for her second album, "Greater Waves," yesterday (8/31) at Miaodong Shisi — a retro-chic bar-restaurant co-founded by food designer Xiaoman Chen and Eddie Kuo. The event was co-hosted by Nanguaq label members Arase, Kivi, and Dremedreman Zengni, with album producers ABAO and Howe Huang, along with Makav's mother, attending in support.

At the party, Makav spoke candidly about her creative process, reflecting on her transition this year from college student to working adult, and previewed several new tracks live. She also surprised the crowd by revealing her first-ever solo concert, "I Really Loved," set for January 2, 2027 at Nangang SUB — with tickets going on sale September 9.

A full-band record of "banding up," with heavy remixed beats

At the party, Makav performed new track "Imperceptible Influence" live for the first time — her first song written for a full band arrangement. The title track "Greater Waves" carries immense energy, inspired by the Book of Esther's story of overcoming hardship through shared faith, with producer Howe Huang crafting a heavy, remixed electronic arrangement.

Tackling all-English lyrics to express vulnerability, "it feels so exposed" — a tender tribute to her late father

Makav's biggest breakthrough this time is writing her first all-English lyrics for "I'm Your Beloved." She revealed the song captures one of her more vulnerable moments: "It's only through others' encouragement and help that I've been able to grow. But singing about my own vulnerability directly felt really exposed, so I decided to write the lyrics in English."

The tender new track "Let the Light In" was inspired by a fan's own story, which also reminded her of the father she lost early in life — the song features arrangement by Golden Melody Best New Artist nominee Ko Chen TRU.

Nanguaq family sings together in tears, surprise reveal of Makav's first-ever solo concert "I Really Loved"

The listening party closed with Arase, Kivi, and Dremedreman Zengni joining Makav for "This Is My Lumaq" — "lumaq" meaning "home" in the Bunun language — with Arase moved to tears after singing. To close the event, Makav handed out fortune cookies hiding a surprise announcement: her first-ever solo concert, "I Really Loved," at Nangang SUB on January 2, 2027, with tickets going on sale via INDIEVOX on September 9.

Makav's second album, "Greater Waves," is officially out today (9/1).