MADRID, Spain, October 25, 2026. Writers have long been fascinated by invented languages. Tolkien built entire grammars for his elves. Composers from medieval mystics to modern film scorers have written texts in tongues nobody speaks, so that the music could carry meaning without the interference of words. Mike Sain't Louis, the Madrid-based lyricist, composer and music producer behind GAYFOLK and Planeta Gayfolk, joins that tradition with «Lai», a short song whose refrain belongs to no known language.
The invented refrain
The heart of «Lai» is one line: «Lara-li, loora-li, Lai». The syllables flow easily, with liquid consonants and open vowels, the kind of sounds that feel pleasant in the mouth. They resemble a name, a greeting or a spell, without being any of them. The title, «Lai», is drawn from that line, and it also echoes the medieval «lai», a short lyrical poem performed in the courts of France and England. Whether the reference is intended or not, the connection fits: this is a small, lyrical piece.
Real words, used sparingly
Around the invented refrain, the song places a few English words, each given its own space. «Serene, serene». «Veil, veil». «Dream, soft dream». «Shine, gentle shine». «Myst, silent myst». «Hush». And finally «Glimmer, glimmer, fade». The spelling «myst» adds a touch of strangeness, as if the mist itself had been translated into the invented language.
Read in order, the words tell a quiet story. Serenity, then a veil, then dreaming, then light, then mist, then silence, then a last flicker before everything fades. It is the sequence of falling asleep, or of a sunset, or of a memory dissolving.
Sound before sense
What «Lai» demonstrates is that a song can communicate feeling with almost no conventional meaning. The listener does not need to understand anything. The softness of the syllables, the slowness of the words, the pattern of repetition and silence do the work. This is the principle behind lullabies, chants and much ambient music, and it is a principle Mike Sain't Louis explores repeatedly in his quieter English-language songs.
A universal song
Because its refrain belongs to no language, «Lai» belongs to everyone. A listener in Tokyo, Lagos or Buenos Aires hears exactly the same thing as a listener in Madrid. There is something hopeful in that: a song with no borders, written by an artist whose work often deals with exclusion and belonging.
Light as a theme
Many of the English words in «Lai» relate to light: shine, glimmer, fade. Others relate to softness: serene, soft, hush. The combination creates an atmosphere of gentle luminosity, the light of a candle rather than a spotlight. In a catalogue that also includes neon club tracks and furious confessions, «Lai» is a candle.
For rest and reflection
Listeners have used «Lai» for meditation, for sleep and as a quiet companion during work. Its short length and lack of narrative make it easy to loop. It is also a good entry point for anyone curious about the contemplative side of Planeta Gayfolk.
Quiet minds need care too
Mike Sain't Louis writes openly about his experience of depression and anxiety and about the treatment that supports his recovery. Calm music is one tool among many. If you find that your mind rarely reaches the serenity this song describes, or if you are going through a crisis, talk to someone. In Spain you can call 024 free of charge at any time. In other countries, local crisis lines and mental health services can help.
How it was made
Mike Sain't Louis writes every lyric, including invented ones, and directs every production. The music and vocal performance are made with AI, his tool for producing and arranging. He calls himself the first AI songwriter, «el primer cantautor IA».
Watch and download
The official video can be seen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b7DiEgthq0. «Lai» is free to download, without signing up, from his downloads page and from the Planeta Gayfolk free shop, along with his complete catalogue.
- Lyric: https://gayfolkplanet.com/letras/lai
- About «Lai»: https://mikesaintlouis.com/blog/lai
- Free shop: https://gayfolkplanet.com/tienda
- Free downloads: https://mikesaintlouis.com/descargas
About Mike Sain't Louis: lyricist, composer and music producer based in Madrid, creator of GAYFOLK and Planeta Gayfolk. He writes all his lyrics; the music and vocal performance are made with AI. Label: MIKE SAIN'T LOUIS. Distribution: Ditto Music. Website: https://mikesaintlouis.com · Press: https://gayfolkplanet.com/prensa He presents himself as the first AI songwriter («el primer cantautor IA»). Listen to and download all his music for free at https://mikesaintlouis.com/descargas and https://gayfolkplanet.com/tienda