There’s a different kind of energy pulsing through Greentea Peng’s sophomore album Tell Dem It’s Sunny—a frequency both grounding and expansive. While her debut Man Made (2021) was a cosmic, dub-soaked meditation on a world in flux, this new chapter turns the lens inward, toward the raw, unfiltered experience of the self. It’s a record that speaks of resilience, of the hard-fought process of growth, and the strength that comes with radical self-acceptance.
From Outward Observation to Inner Revolution
With Man Made, Greentea Peng (born Aria Wells) tapped into the collective consciousness of a world unraveling. It was an album that grappled with societal chaos, personal loss, and the overwhelming need to purge, cleanse, and reconnect with something higher. As Greentea Peng herself puts it, “I write songs of what I’m going through at the time. So obviously Man Made, it was a political statement. I was very focused on politics and the world at the time.”
Now, with Tell Dem It’s Sunny, the turbulence remains—but the revolution is internal. Here, the struggle is not just against oppressive systems but against the self-imposed barriers that stifle growth. “This album marks a period of great introspect. So, that’s what it mirrors.” This shift in focus is evident in every layer of Tell Dem It’s Sunny—from its lyrics to its production, the album acts as a mirror reflecting the intricate, often turbulent process of self-exploration and healing.
Take “RAW,” one of the album’s most vulnerable moments. Over rain-soaked synths and nocturnal drums, Greentea Peng offers an unflinching examination of self-awareness: “I wanna hear it all… Tell me all my faults.” It’s a stark departure from the outward-facing defiance of her previous work. This time, the battle is with herself, and the willingness to confront hard truths becomes a source of power rather than weakness.
Internal Eternal Sunshine
The title Tell Dem It’s Sunny carries layers of meaning, embodying both defiance and surrender. As Greentea Peng explains: “Tell dem it’s sunny was almost like a defiant statement—like no matter how much dread you throw at us, or me, there is an internal, eternal sunshine within.” In a world clouded with chaos and uncertainty, the album serves as a reminder that light exists within, regardless of external darkness.
This juxtaposition—between the moody, introspective tone of the album and its unwavering optimism—speaks to the heart of Greentea Peng’s artistry: transformation through perspective. This extends even to the album’s sonic frequency. While much of Tell Dem It’s Sunny is tuned to 440 Hz—the so-called “Babylon standard” linked to mind control and manipulation—Greentea Peng makes a deliberate exception with “Create & Destroy 432,” tuned to 432 Hz, a frequency believed to promote harmony and healing. “If I’m brainwashing with the right things, then,” she remarks, shrugging her shoulders, suggesting an intentional recalibration of sound, yes, but more so of the way we receive and interpret reality itself.
“Tell dem it’s sunny was almost like a defiant statement—like no matter how much dread you throw at us, or me, there is an internal, eternal sunshine within.”
A Family Thing
Musically, Tell Dem It’s Sunny is a rich, textured exploration of Greentea Peng’s sonic DNA. Dub, jazz, psychedelic R&B, and soul continue to form the backbone of her sound, but there’s a newfound intentionality in the production. Greentea Peng steps further into the producer’s role, playing bass on several tracks and shaping the album’s sonic identity with longtime collaborators like Earbuds, Wu-Lu, and Samo, while welcoming St. Francis Hotel into the fold. The recording process was deeply collaborative, with each producer bringing their own sonic fingerprint while staying true to Greentea Peng’s evolving vision.
Together, they created an atmosphere where experimentation thrived, allowing the album’s organic, free-flowing energy to take shape naturally. St. Francis Hotel, one of the newer additions to her creative family, quickly became a key player in this process. “I love Declan [St. Francis Hotel], he’s my boy. I mean, he’s one of the more recent collaborators, because obviously, I’ve got Earbuds, who I’ve worked with since 2017, my first project. He’s one of the most recent producers to add to my family, but he’s a solid part for sure. He’s a G. He’s very, very good at what he does,” Greentea Peng says. Together, this collective energy shaped an album that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant, weaving an intricate sonic tapestry that invites listeners into Greentea Peng’s world.
The Sound of Metamorphosis
The album’s opener, “BALI SKIT PT 1,” sets the tone. A child’s voice (echoing her mother’s) introduces the album’s title, reminding us of the cycles of change and transformation. It’s a portal into a world where basslines breathe like sentient beings and melodies shimmer like mirages.
“TARDIS (hardest)” is classic Greentea Peng—mystical yet streetwise, London grit wrapped in celestial harmonies. The track oscillates between the deeply personal and the universal, capturing the duality of her journey. “GLORY” takes this even further, its prismatic layers unfolding into an expansive meditation on peace and acceptance.
Then there’s “GREEN”—an anthem of resilience and rebirth. It’s a song about shedding one’s skin, about allowing pain to become wisdom. Produced by St. Francis Hotel, its cascading vocal layers capture the ineffable essence of transformation. Greentea Peng describes it as confronting the “eternal cycle of death and rebirth”—a sentiment echoed throughout the album’s core themes.
Creation, Destruction, and the Power of Choice
One of Tell Dem It’s Sunny’s most striking motifs is the recognition that creation and destruction stem from the same energy. On “CREATE & DESTROY 432,” Greentea Peng embraces this paradox, using anarchic guitars and surging synths to explore the fine line between chaos and clarity. “If you don’t choose which way you’re gonna direct it, it can become mayhem and chaos”—a reflection on past struggles, but also a declaration of newfound agency. 
This duality surfaces again in “I AM (REBORN),” a fierce affirmation of identity and transformation. Over overdriven production, Wells declares, “I am not who I was yesterday”—a mantra that encapsulates the very essence of the album. It’s a reminder that reinvention isn’t just possible; it’s necessary.
Surrendering to the Unknown
At the heart of Tell Dem It’s Sunny is a deep philosophy of surrender—an understanding that true growth comes from relinquishing control and trusting the universe’s design. Greentea Peng embraces this fully, stating:
“I’ve learned that there is no other option. Like, there’s no such thing as making plans. You can pretend to make plans in this life, but really, God makes plans… We’re just kind of at the will of the universe.”
It’s a perspective that flows throughout the album, encouraging listeners to release resistance and let life unfold as it should. This is particularly evident in tracks like “ONE FOOT,” where she wrestles with doubt and uncertainty but ultimately embraces the journey, asking, “Is it too late for me?” rather than demanding answers. Tell Dem It’s Sunny is, at its core, an exploration of faith—not in a religious sense, but in the belief that even amidst chaos, there is meaning, and that by letting go, we step into our true power.
No Compromise, No Borders—Just Truth
Greentea Peng’s radical self-acceptance permeates every note of Tell Dem It’s Sunny. It’s an album that honors contradiction, that embraces both vulnerability and strength, that understands that the path to wisdom is often paved with uncertainty. The closing track, “BALI SKIT PT 2,” brings the journey full circle, reminding us that transformation is an ongoing process. The message? We are that we are. No compromise. No arbitrary borders. Just truth.
Through Tell Dem It’s Sunny, Greentea Peng doesn’t just share her evolution—she invites us to embrace our own. It’s an album that honors contradiction, where vulnerability and strength coexist, and where surrender becomes a path to clarity.
As the final notes fade, the message lingers: transformation is not a destination but a continuous unfolding. “Nothing is unexpected because nothing is expected. Everything just is.” With this acceptance, she reminds us that in the face of uncertainty, there is freedom. Because no matter the storm, the sun is always shining within us.
All photos by Ilo Toerkell.
Tell Dem It’s Sunny is out now via AWAL Recordings. Follow Greentea Peng on Instagram.