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Photos provided by: PAPILLON -- YUME AO 2025
“PAPILLON” is a spellbinding masterpiece, blending irresistible allure with timeless elegance.
Yume Ao’s latest single “PAPILLON” is here, and it will sweep you into a world of hypnotic beats, seductive basslines, and an atmosphere as elusive as the flutter of a butterfly’s wings. The track pulses with an intoxicating energy that’s both sensual and ephemeral—capturing a fleeting moment of love, desire, and temptation. With vocals that leave a mark long after the music fades, "PAPILLON" is more than just a song; it's a journey into a universe where emotion and sound collide.
We spoke with Yume Ao about the making of this mesmerizing track, her artistic vision, and the influences that shape her unique sound. From her upbringing in the serene Arcachon to the vibrant streets of Paris, Yume Ao's experiences have shaped a musical identity that’s equal parts glamour and mystique. "PAPILLON" draws on her love for vintage French disco, yet feels unmistakably modern, a perfect blend of nostalgia and forward-thinking artistry.
In the interview, Yume opens up about the meaning behind the track’s title, how she crafts her emotional performances, and the cinematic quality of her music. She also reveals the delicate balance she strikes between her personal identity and the persona she’s created as an artist. Is there an alter ego behind the allure? How does she bring her artistic vision to life in the studio? And what’s next on the horizon for this captivating artist?
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to dance beneath a shimmering mirrorball or lose yourself in a moment that feels eternal, this interview will give you a glimpse behind the curtain.
Get ready to discover more about the woman, the music, and the soul behind "PAPILLON."
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello YUME AO, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. Wow, this release is amazing! The hypnotic beats immediately captivated us. The staccato styling with the sexy and seductive bass is mind-blowing. But it was your vocals that left us in complete awe. Your delivery and style are exhilarating. “PAPILLON” feels like it’s more than just music; it’s a piece of your soul. Can you share the backstory behind why you created this and what it truly means to you?
A. Papillon was born in one creative breath — the lyrics came to me almost instantly. I love that state of flow where everything feels effortless, as if the music writes itself. The song was deeply inspired by the emotions I was experiencing at the time, which is often the spark behind my work. The line “mes rêves doux sont faits de ça” is a nod to “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This”, an iconic 80s song that, like Papillon, explores the idea of love that isn’t always perfectly balanced.
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Q. The title “PAPILLON” feels so perfect. Why did you choose this name? It feels like it captures something so delicate and fleeting. What does it symbolize for you personally?
A. I chose Papillon because the butterfly perfectly symbolizes the fleeting and delicate nature of certain emotions. The song speaks about love that, precisely because it isn’t fully reciprocal, struggles to last despite its intensity. It’s also about awareness — understanding that what we desire most in the moment might transform once we attain it.
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Q. You’ve mentioned that your music is a “game aussi éphémère que l’Amour.” What does that idea mean for you in the context of the song’s creation? Does this fleeting quality of love inform how you approach your art?
A. For me, music — like love — is ephemeral, and that’s precisely where its beauty lies. I believe that in the universe, only the ephemeral truly lasts. It’s the fleeting nature of moments that makes them unforgettable. That’s what I try to capture in my music: a sense of urgency, intensity, and emotion that exists only once, and yet stays with you forever.
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Q. Your vocals are undeniably captivating, almost hypnotic. Do you find yourself drawing from personal experiences when delivering such raw emotion, or is it more of a character you slip into for each song?
A. My voice is a space where many different sides of me meet. I love exploring contrasts — softness and strength, nostalgia and modernity — and letting them all express themselves. With Yume Ao, I aim to give my vocals a distinctive “French Touch” elegance, while treating them as an instrument themselves through depth, textures, and carefully crafted effects.
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Q. Where does the rough work of your music production begin? Do you kick things off in your home studio, or do you team up with an outside producer? And when it’s time to wrap things up, do you handle the mixing and mastering yourself, or bring in someone to help perfect it?
A. Most of my creative process begins in my home studio, where melodies and lyrics take shape organically. I love crafting the soul of a song myself before collaborating with talented producers and engineers who bring technical precision and sonic depth. That balance between raw inspiration and refined sound is essential to capturing the exact emotion I want to share.
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Q. The atmosphere you create through your music feels very cinematic. Do you imagine specific visuals or settings while crafting a track, or do the feelings and emotions guide you first?
A. Emotions always guide me first. Once I’m in that creative flow, words and images come naturally — almost like a stream of consciousness. From there, I shape the structure and refine the vision. Most of my songs begin as feelings before they become stories.
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Q. Is this particular musical genre style something you’ve always embraced from the very beginning of your journey, or has it evolved over time from influences or other genres you experimented with earlier?
A. My sound has evolved alongside me. I draw inspiration from many eras — from the elegance of the 50s and 60s to the boldness of the 80s and 90s — blending electro, French house, soul, and disco. I’ve always believed that music should be free of boundaries, and that openness is at the heart of the Yume Ao universe.
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Q. You’ve traveled and lived in so many different places, from Arcachon to the Côte d’Azur to Paris. How have these various environments influenced your music and your approach to sound? Is there a particular city or moment that stands out in your creative process?
A. Traveling has shaped my vision of music in profound ways. Seeing how people connect to sound differently across cultures taught me that music is universal yet infinitely varied. Every place has its own rhythm, its own emotional frequency. I love capturing those nuances while searching for that rare universal energy that resonates everywhere.
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Q. Your style is so distinctive, like an invitation to a world of elegance and freedom. How do you balance your personal identity with the persona you’ve crafted as an artist? How much of Yume Ao is you, and how much is an alter-ego?
A. Yume Ao is both deeply me and something bigger than me. It’s the artistic extension of who I am — ambitious, independent, and visionary, yet playful and curious. Even beyond music, I place enormous importance on image and identity. I love creating strong, impactful worlds — both visually and conceptually — and building a presence that people remember. Yume Ao allows me to express those different facets with complete freedom while staying authentic to myself.
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Q. You’ve mentioned that your sound is the perfect backdrop for “fashion runways, late-night clubs, and fleeting sparks of eternity,” and we could not agree more. Do you find inspiration in visual or cultural trends when you create, or is it purely an emotional response to the music itself?
A. I’m passionate about fashion and visual art — runway shows, cinema, photography — they all feed my imagination. I believe music and image are deeply connected; one elevates the other. Every word and every sound I choose is intentional, designed to awaken an emotion and build an atmosphere that’s elegant, immersive, and timeless.
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Q. Do you have any plans to take your music to local stages or fully get on the road?
A. Absolutely. Right now, I’m focused on laying strong foundations — refining my artistic direction, building my presence, and learning everything I can about the industry. My goal is to grow step by step and then launch live performances and my first album. I want every stage of this journey to feel intentional and meaningful.
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Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. Creativity has always been part of my world. I grew up surrounded by art and storytelling, and that shaped how I see things. Over time, I realized how powerful music and visual identity can be — not just for self-expression but also for creating deep emotional connections. That realization is what pushed me to share my universe with the world.
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Q. What do you want people to remember most about you after hearing your music and reading this interview?
A. I hope my music brings people joy, emotion, and inspiration — that it becomes part of the soundtrack to their lives. And I hope they’ll follow the journey, because this is just the beginning and there’s so much more to come.
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Q. YUME AO, we can’t thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what’s next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We’d love the readers to hear the news directly from you!
A. The next releases will definitely surprise you. A new season always brings new energy, new rhythms, and new creative directions — but the passion will remain just as intense. I’m exploring fresh sounds and bold ideas, and I can’t wait for you to experience what’s coming next.
YUME AO, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
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English (US) ·