“Q.U.B.” channels a bright strain of Mandarin indie pop rock infused with the playful spirit of 90s Britpop, building its momentum around a melodic bass line and offbeat textures that feel both knowing and light on their feet. There is an easy sense of motion in the track, one that balances bounce and reflection without tipping fully into irony or nostalgia.
The title, short for 质疑 理解 成为 or Questioning, Understanding, Becoming, frames the song as a self-aware narrative about resistance and surrender. Yoshe Li turns a small, relatable moment into something larger, tracing how personal ideals soften over time and how even the most trend-resistant instincts can quietly dissolve. The humor is gentle rather than sharp, grounded in honesty rather than mockery.
Musically, the song mirrors that arc. The arrangement feels nimble and conversational, allowing space for Yoshe’s expressive vocal delivery to carry both curiosity and quiet self-recognition. Influences from Britpop and alternative pop rock surface in the song’s energy, while her background in melody and classical training lends it structure and emotional clarity.
For those who might not know you yet, how would you introduce yourself?
Hello everyone, I’m Yoshe Li, a singer-songwriter and multimedia artist based in Toronto and New York, and I live with a very stylish rabbit who quietly influences my creative spirit.
If you had to bottle up your sound into just three words, which ones would you choose?
Indie, Cinematic, Conceptual
Which artists (not only music-related) or moments have left the biggest mark on your music?
I grew up in China listening to a lot of Mandarin ballads like Jay Chou, JJ Lin, Leehom Wang, Stefanie Sun, Yoga Lin—so my first songs naturally leaned toward Chinese lyrical pop.
After moving to Canada, I started listening to all kinds of music. John Mayer became a big influence, honestly, if you play guitar, it’s hard not to become a fan. I love how well-rounded he is: great guitar playing, thoughtful songwriting, strong vocals, and a reflective but optimistic perspective. Plus, he’s hilarious! Blur is probably my favorite band ever. I’m drawn to their arrangements and all the clever details in their songs, especially how creative they are with guitar and bass. I also love their playful, relaxed, and slightly chaotic attitude. My Chemical Romance is a more recent discovery, but The Black Parade really unlocked my pop-rock side. Gerard Way’s vocals hit me hard—raw, emotional, and totally unfiltered.
Rei Kawakubo, my favorite fashion designer, has shaped how I think visually and structurally, while Björk and David Bowie influence how I connect songwriting with image, concept, and an avant-garde attitude. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Wet Leg and Saya Gray for their bass-heavy, quirky energy and I’m really into it.
When you hit play on your songs, what kind of feeling takes over?
When I listen back to my own songs, it honestly feels like getting into a time machine. Each song immediately brings me back to a very specific moment, where I was, what I was feeling, the environment I was in at the time. It’s very vivid.
At the same time, when I step out of that emotional space and listen more objectively, I can’t help being a little critical. I always hear things I’d want to tweak or do differently, and I think, if I were making this song now, I’d probably do it in a cooler or more refined way. But I don’t see that as a bad thing.
I’m actually really happy that I made those songs and let them exist. Finishing and releasing them allows me to move on and keep creating, instead of getting stuck endlessly revising old work. Each song becomes a snapshot of who I was at that moment and that’s something I really value.
Can you walk us through the story or emotion behind ” (Q.U.B)”?
“(Q.U.B)” is a Mandarin indie pop-rock track inspired by the energy of 90s Britpop. It’s built around a melodic bass riff, quirky textures, and a playful storyline. The title, 质疑 理解 成为, which literally means “Questioning, Understanding, Becoming,” comes from Chinese internet slang about roasting a trend and then somehow ending up joining it.
I wrote this song as a reflection on my own behavior. I always thought I was someone who never followed trends. Trends come and go so fast, and I’ve always been drawn to quiet, niche things that take time to discover. Until last year, when I ended up buying two of the most viral tumblers in one go.
Nowadays, I mostly write in English, but I still occasionally write in Chinese, like with this song. Usually, it depends on the interactions or moments I’m reflecting on. In this case, the story and humor came from conversations with my Chinese-speaking friends, so the lyrics just naturally came out in Chinese. I love that mix. It feels playful and personal, and I enjoy switching languages depending on the story I want to tell.
Filming the music video was also really fun. I wanted it to feel more like a behind-the-scenes, chill performance video. While I was getting ready, I noticed the makeup studio and thought it would be the perfect spot. We were originally going to film in a photo studio, but we ended up moving everything into the makeup room. The makeup artist even joined in dancing. Everyone was just having fun, and before we knew it, the video was done. It really captured the attitude and vibe of the song perfectly.
If you could team up with anyone in the world—no limits—who would be that dream collaborator?
Probably Wes Anderson, one of my favorite filmmakers! I love all his films, and he has such a unique visual style and storytelling approach. I’m so curious what it would be like if he directed a music video or even a short music film of one of my songs. OMG, that would be a dream!
Outside of music, what brings you joy or keeps you grounded?
I love working on all kinds of art and design projects: visual art, small installations, crafting… basically, if an idea or concept comes to life, I get excited.
When I need a break from art, I’ll do anything… except the thing with a looming deadline. Sometimes that means staying home for days, doing nothing, watching movies, eating good food, and just letting my brain rest. Other times, I’m out with friends, playing tennis or golf, wandering a new city, or traveling somewhere quiet and beautiful to just think. Switching up my energy like that always helps me reset and get inspired again.
You can find all her info here.
