Mwen Toujou La • Song Archive

A deeply personal and emotional song from Shilay's upcoming EP La Cigale, with a melody born in 2020 but lyrics that came during a difficult period in 2024.

Artist: Shilay
Genre: Contemporary Folk
Language: Haitian creole
Status: Unreleased

About the Song

During this chapter, I was battling depression, isolation, and overwhelming emotional stress. I felt like people were against me, even threatening me, and the pressure caused me to lose my hair. I describe myself at that time as "a shell of who I was." Mwen Toujou La became my spiritual cry, a quiet anthem of resilience and faith when nothing else made sense.

Personal Significance

This song represents my deeply personal journey through one of the most challenging periods of my life. The lyrics, written in 2024, reflect a period of intense emotional turmoil and my struggle to maintain faith and identity.

Musical Elements

Musical Composition

The instrumentation is soft and haunting, layered with strings, violin, and a delicate guitar-bass rhythm. I created an intimate atmosphere that perfectly complements the song's emotional weight.

Reception and Impact

While many people didn't initially connect with the track when they first heard it, one person, Solo Jay, recognized its power and potential. Despite the criticism, this song remains my favorite from the project, as it speaks the rawest truth about my lived experience.

Audio Archives

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First Melody Idea

June 26, 2020

No lyrics, just humming. Early concept.

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Alternate Chorus Humming

June 28, 2020

An early version of a chorus melody that was later discarded.

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Final Melody Foundation

October 4, 2023

Still no lyrics, but the structure of the final version began here.

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Scrapped Second Verse Idea

February 28, 2024

Melody intended for the second verse, but it wasn't used in the final version.

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Intro Melody Sketch

February 29, 2024

Trying to find the right melody for the song's opening.

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Bridge Melody Sketch

February 29, 2024

Exploring melody options for the bridge.

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First Full Demo

March 1, 2024

This version was recorded very early in the morning after an all-night session. It contains the full lyrics and structure. While most people didn't connect with it, Solo Jay believed in the song.

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2025 Draft Idea

2025

New direction: higher pitch, re-recorded elements, new melodies, and an emotional guitar solo. Not final.

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From the Upcoming Album "La Cigale"

This deeply personal track will be featured on Shilay's debut album. Stay tuned for the official release.
#demo #folk #haitian-creole #la-cigale