Six years ago, a teenage, heartbroken Lukas Chiang independently released five singles with no prior online background. His singles featured lyrics depicting independent struggles over bluesy, R&B-style backing tracks.
Listeners found themselves relating to Chiang’s lyrics via social media, and his popularity exploded, putting him on everyone’s radar as a potential top new artist. But, as quickly as he appeared, he vanished in 2019.
Media and fans grew increasingly concerned about where this prodigy went after amassing nearly two million streams in only six months. What was with the radio silence?
We were granted a long-awaited explanation in 2020 through an Instagram post from Chiang. He revealed that shortly after his fifth release, “Paragraphs,” he was diagnosed with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR), as well as Muscle Tension Dysphonia, both of which directly impaired his voice box. “At the time, I wasn’t too concerned – the doctors told me I could heal it within a few months of medicine,” Chiang reported in The Panther’s newspaper.
What should’ve been a quick recovery turned catastrophic when Chiang was struck with incredible pain and nearly lost his ability to speak. Between ‘20 and ‘24, Chiang had to relearn how to sing, facing the possibility of his condition being permanent. He also became more active online, talking about his condition, struggles, and his recovery.
In March of 2024, Chiang made an announcement that sent the media and fans alike into a craze–
A new release.
Four years in the making, Chiang released “Never Tell” on April 26th, a new single reflecting on the past years, his vulnerability, and his struggle to accept himself while losing his voice.
Fans fell in love with this new single, and many congratulated Chiang on creating new music after he nearly lost hope, but that was just the start.
Through 2025, Chiang released five singles, and in December, he announced his debut album, “TYPHOON,” to be released on February 6th, 2026.
Chiang explained the meaning behind the album’s name, which stems from the first time he experienced a vocal flare in 2019, during typhoon season in Taiwan. He now associates stormy weather with the start of that era of his life.
The 12 songs on this album are about the underlying insecurities Chiang struggled with after losing his voice, and how they bled into his personal life, affecting his relationships, identity, and family. With a runtime of 34 minutes, this short listen is bound to bring emotions to new listeners and tears to long-time fans who supported Chiang throughout the start of his journey.
