Rising Malaysian singer Layla Sania marked another significant milestone in her musical journey with the launch of her self-composed Chinese New Year single, “Xin Nian Re Nao” (Joyous Chinese New Year), at an intimate rooftop event held on the Mezzanine Floor of SanTai House with the support of Supernormal at TREC KL.
Now a very familiar name among Malaysia’s Mandarin-speaking community, the 23-year-old star continues to carve her own path in the local music scene. After becoming the second Malaysian hijab-wearing woman to be featured on the giant digital billboard in Times Square, New York in 2021, the release of this Chinese New Year song further cements her position in the music industry.
Xin Nian Re Nao is a Mandarin festive song co-composed and co-written by Layla together with her father, Mystictune, making it a deeply personal project rooted in family, culture, and creativity. With this release, Layla becomes the first Malaysian Muslim female of Malay descent to compose, write, and record her own Chinese New Year single launched in Malaysia, marking a meaningful moment in the country’s diverse music landscape.
Since entering the Malaysian music industry, Layla Sania has steadily solidified her presence, particularly within the Chinese music scene. Her ability to navigate cultures through music has earned her admiration across communities, and Xin Nian Re Nao further reinforces her role as a unifying voice during one of the most celebrated festive seasons.
The song is accompanied by a vibrant music video in collaboration with homegrown skincare brand Cosmoderm, which features a special appearance by renowned Malaysian artiste Perry Kuan, the mastermind behind the video, produced by UFCO.
As a brand rooted in Malaysian values, Cosmoderm embraces the spirit of multi-racial harmony through this collaboration, symbolising unity, respect, and the harmonious blending of cultures that define the nation. The partnership reflects Cosmoderm’s ongoing commitment to supporting meaningful community initiatives and creative collaborations with local artists, aligning seamlessly with the festive message of the song.
Speaking about the journey behind Xin Nian Re Nao, Layla shared her emotional process from start to finish.
“Honestly, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness before recording it. I wanted to make sure I approached it with respect and sincerity,” she said.
“After recording it, I felt relieved and proud. And after releasing it, I feel incredibly grateful. Seeing the positive response and support from people of different backgrounds has been very humbling. It reminds me why music is such a powerful bridge between cultures.”
Layla hopes the song will go beyond festive cheer and create meaningful connections.
“My hope is, if this song can make even one person feel seen, included, or curious about another culture, then I feel I’ve already succeeded,” she added.
The release of Xin Nian Re Nao also drew international attention, including coverage from Indonesian media platform Chindo Today, which highlighted the uniqueness of a Malay Muslim, hijab-wearing singer releasing a Chinese New Year song — a move noted as uncommon in Indonesia.
Reflecting on the feature, Layla said:
“I was honestly surprised, but also deeply touched by the coverage. For me, this song is not about crossing boundaries in a controversial way, but about celebrating diversity through music. I believe music should unite us, not divide us.”
Xin Nian Re Nao is now available on all major digital streaming platforms, inviting listeners from all walks of life to celebrate the festive season together through music.
“I hope everyone can enjoy it and welcome the Chinese New Year with joy, openness, and togetherness,” Layla concluded.
The song is also the first installment of a ‘2-part festive song’ which will include a Hari Raya Aidilfitri song as the second concluding part. This next single is set for release towards the end of the coming Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Stay tuned.
The press conference was also supported by Spritzer and Wex Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
