Cover Timur Flores, the Swiss-Sarawakian artist to watch, unveils “According 2 You”.
Timur Flores, the Swiss-Sarawakian artist to watch, unveils “According 2 You”.
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In her own rhythm, Timur Flores on identity, independence, and what it means to be strong, soft, and unapologetically herself
Surrounded by her cats, guitar, and scattered lyrics, Timur Flores reflects on how she learned to let go of others’ expectations and trust her own voice, a turning point that brought her clarity.
For Timur, clarity was earned over time. Like many young artists in Malaysia’s independent music scene, she had to tune out the noise, endless advice, comparisons, and the pressure to fit a mould. Early years performing and writing with a small creative collective taught her the value of collaboration but also the importance of self-definition.
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It took me a while to stop living for others and start hearing myself again.
Best of both worlds
Above Timur Flores grew up between two worlds, Swiss and Sarawakian, and somehow makes both feel like home.
Timur Flores grew up between two worlds, Swiss and Sarawakian, and somehow makes both feel like home.
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With a Swiss father and Sarawakian mother, Timur grew up immersed in a mix of cultures, languages, and traditions. This upbringing gave her an appreciation for different ways of seeing the world, from the warmth of Sarawakian community life to the discipline of her European roots. Yet, living between cultures was not always easy. “Not belonging anywhere used to scare me,” she admits. “Now it is what makes me, me.”
That sense of in-betweenness informs her music, which blends influences while staying true to herself. She has performed in English, Malay, and Chinese and plans to continue mixing languages in future projects.
According 2 Timur
Her single According 2 You is a quiet rebellion, a soulful anthem about self-acceptance and refusing to be defined by anyone else. Written at a time when she was unlearning what the world expected of her, Timur describes it as a love letter to herself.
“It took me a while to realise that not fitting the expected look or sound was actually my strength,” she says. The song also explores gender norms and the pressures women face in entertainment to be confident but not too loud, beautiful but not too bold. “There is power in being soft and sure of yourself at the same time.”
I do not want to sound like anyone else, I want people to hear it and know that is Timur.
Her voice, her cause
Above Timur, a singer-songwriter and a cat lover.
Timur, a singer-songwriter and a cat lover.
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Not all of Timur’s music revolves around love or self-discovery. Between My Sheets is a personal track inspired by her cats. Behind the humour lies a cause. Timur supports Trap-Neuter-Release efforts and advocates for animal adoption in Malaysia. “If my songs can make someone see animals with more compassion, even for a moment, that means everything to me.”
The miles that made her
When not recording or performing, Timur splits her time between Kuala Lumpur and Europe, seeking new perspectives. Antarctica is next on her list, a place she hopes will deepen her listening and creativity. Life’s journeys, both literal and emotional, have shaped her quiet strength, honed through loss, love, and resilience. Raised by her Sarawakian mother after losing her father, Timur learned that strength “does not always have to be loud.”
Timur's story continues to unfold in lyrics, laughter, and the spaces between songs. When not creating, she curls up with her cats or plays Pokémon, small escapes that keep her grounded. With every step forward, her sound and sense of self become unmistakably her own.
Aliya Qarina is the Junior Style Writer at Tatler Malaysia with an interest in fashion and beauty. Her writing often focuses on contemporary style, beauty culture and emerging trends.
