Let Basson Laas Brighten Your Day with His Uplifting New Single and Video
Singer‑songwriter Basson Laas has released his uplifting new single and cinematic video, crafted to inspire and bring a ‘smile‘ to every listener’s face. Titled Smile, it opens with warm, inviting chords that lead you into an “unknown valley” where joy feels scarce, but hope is never out of reach. Channelling the spirit of the facial‑feedback hypothesis – often summed up as “fake it ’til you feel it” – Smile shows how a simple grin can ease the heaviest burdens and reignite the spark of connection among strangers.
Reflecting on his creative journey, Basson explains that he conceived Smile with one clear reference in mind: Linkin Park’s 2010 closing track ‘The Messenger‘.
“From the very first moment I toyed with the chords, that song was my anchor,” he says. “I adored its acoustic clarity and the way it closed an album with hope. ‘Smile’ began there but quickly found its own voice – one that’s earnest, melodic, and quietly defiant.”
His words underscore the song’s central message: even in life’s darkest valleys, shared stories and open hearts can inspire us to smile again.
Musically, Smile weaves together adult contemporary warmth, folk‑pop simplicity, and a touch of alternative edge, a blend Basson has honed while supporting established artists on tour and, more recently, assembling a full band for festival stages. The lyrical, cinematic video mirrors the song’s emotional arc, coaxing viewers into moments of reflection before rewarding them with images that celebrate resilience and connection.
Smile is available on all major streaming platforms here. Listen today and let its message of hope carry you through your own valleys. Watch the cinematic video here.
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Basson Laas Bio
Growing up on a farm in South Africa, Basson had a playful and happy childhood that fuelled his imagination. Teaching himself how to play the guitar, he started writing his first songs at just 17 years old. However, after spending his twenties mainly pursuing other interests, he decided to take a leap of faith and try his luck as an independent musician, without the backing of a label, to see if it could bear fruit.
After his first year performing full-time in bars and restaurants, he had the opportunity to record his debut EP, ‘Good Morning Dreamer,’ which was released in August 2023 and featured his first single, ‘Tightly Bound.’ This year, he has two singles lined up. The first, Worth Loving, and the second, ‘Smile,’ is planned for release in November.
“I’ve learned a lot from the release of ‘Good Morning Dreamer,’ and I hope to push the boundaries a little more with the next releases,” he says. “I realise how difficult it can be to get music heard in this day and age, but if that’s the case, my only wish is that it remains fun to work with like-minded creatives and that my songs somehow reach and touch just the right audience.”
So far, his music style can be described as an adult contemporary mix of folk and pop with a dash of alternative. He has shared the stage as an opening act for many well-known names in the industry and recently started putting a band together, featuring drummer Jannie Labuschagne (Mantra, Ruiter Piet) and bassist/pianist Callie van der Merwe (Wolfgang Marrow, Kirkland). They aim to showcase his songs at many South African festivals in the coming years.
