It goes without a doubt that the music industry in Singapore is blowing up. Local bands have been opening for international acts and they're being billed on music festival banners (Singjazz, Neon Lights, Laneway Festival etc.) this year. And the community are showing up in numbers to support their favorite acts in various locations at different times of the year. Free performances are rampant across the calendar and it's just awe-inspiring that these artists are just giving their time for this passion, even though it won't pay the bills or earn them the exposure.
But this reality check never really deter them far off the course they intended, because the output of music this year is actually even more than we asked for. Currently I'm plugged in to a hip-hop/rap album, Kendrick Lamar's magnum opus "To Pimp a Butterfly". Other than this, I haven't really listened to anything else outside of Singapore. So this really speaks volume of the talent we have on our tiny island.
So I'll be listing out and reviewing some of my top 10* local albums/releases I think is worthy to give it a shot. And you should if you're really a fan of music of all forms (Except screamo and fucking heavy metal #sorrynotsorry)
*Not in ranked order
1) Mediocre Haircut Crew - The MHC EP
Genre: Hip-hop/Rap
This hiphop group just came out of nowhere and blew my ears apart. Mixed and engineered by FAUXE, a local DJ/producer, this is an fabulous debut release. Dope beats and hooks backed by confident witty rhymes and with a fuck-all attitude that will attract the right crowd and fans. And adding a couple of Justin Timberlake-inspired love tunes doesn't hurt their rep! This is the biggest surprise of the year for me. Keep up the good work, lads!
2) Charlie Lim - Time/Space EP
Genre: Folk-Rock/DIY Electronic/Singer-Songwriter
Does this man need any more introduction from me? So the story is: Singer-songwriter Charlie Lim meant for this release to be a full-length album, but he split it into 2 EPs, so as to divide and put a theme to his music, thus the Time/Space naming convention. With this record, he dabbles with genres, ranging from ragtime jazz to electronic stadium pop and post-rock meltdowns. But what set Charlie apart from all your singer-songwriters is that he strings his thoughts into his carefully-constructed tunes and makes a beautiful experience out of it. No doubt one of the best albums to come out this year.
3) Paint The Sky Red - Not All Who Wonder Are Lost
Genre: Post-rock
Cinematic and emotional in every way possible. And no words spoken. Just close your eyes and let the music flow through your heart and brain.
See also: Explosions in the Sky
4) Cashew Chemists - Previously on... Cashew Chemists
Genre: Pop-rock
This follow-up EP to their debut release has been a long time coming and although it's only a 4-song EP, all the tunes are solid and they continue in the cheeky, laid-back tradition of a Cashew Chemist song (Kind of a Beach-Boys vibe). It's very lovely and easy-going on the ears and the guitar solos are still rocking it as ever. Production-wise, it's a step-up from what they had in the debut EP and the tracks now are much more cleaner and the overall sound is tighter. Can't wait to hear more from this group.
5) .gif - soma
Genre: DIY Electronic
Consisting of only two members, you would think an album release would sound minimalistic, but after listening just the first song, I had never been so wrong. It's a fully-realized record, with lush atmospheric sounds that surrounds the listener when you put it on your headphones. No song ever sounds the same and you're guided by Din's interesting beats and synths, segueing into next songs flawlessly and Weish vocals fills in the gap, layered vocals upon vocals and it's a genius piece of avant-garde work. Sophisticated but yet still so palatable to music-lovers out there. "Godspeed" is just simply amazing in its own way..
6) Take Two - Pairs
Genre: Pop-rock
Soaring melodies, infectious beats and a polish sound to boot. Great debut EP from these young boys.
See also: Two Door Cinema Club, Temper Trap, Phoenix
7) Hanging Up The Moon - Immaterial
Genre: Folk acoustic
Started as a side project by Sean Lam of the now defunct local rock band Concave Scream, he formed the moniker due to his late night experimentation with the intention to go back to basics. A beautiful soothing unlike any other that just puts people in a midday trance if they ever put this on their earphones.
8) Lost Weekend - Lost Weekend
Genre: Indie pop-rock
Imagine Singapore's Zooey Deschanel in a rock band, but packing more heat with raspy vocals. And that's what you get with Lost Weekend. A warm, delicate sound that sets you back in time of the 90s Singapore. Simple nostalgia tunes and with some rocking good moments. The fact that the people behind these tunes are in their early 20s astound me, because they compose with such maturity and it's a great sounding album with its message and ideas put across clearly to the listeners. Best listened to on the weekend (no pun intended) if you'd like to reminisce a happier period of your life. Can't wait to hear more songs from these guys.
9) The Steve McQueens - Seamonster
Genre: Acid Jazz
Singapore has been never really known for its jazz music, other than Jeremy Monteiro, but The Steve McQueens is getting more recognized for its craft when they got invited to Japan and UK to play for music festivals. Eugenie Yip's (better known as Ginny Bloop) vocals could be the strongest I've ever heard a Singaporean belt out. She has that incredible range but uses with great restrain, which I adore. Crisp drumming beats provided by Aaron James Lee sometimes blow my mind and mad props to Joshua Wan, keys, for coming up with the beautiful arrangements. Digging the very strong stuff coming from this group of talented people.
10) Cheating Sons - Cheating Sons
Genre: Folk-rock/Blues-rock
Cheating Son's "Honeymoon" reminds me of old Hong Kong films that were set in the western-influenced bar restaurants of Shanghai. The place is lit by the warm, mood lighting and there are waitresses walking around in leg-revealing cheongsams...
I've digressed, but one thing is for sure: Cheating Sons' sophomore eponymous album is gorgeous and a lot of thought and time was spent into creating that dense sound they've set out. And this sold me right from the start. The lyrics are sang with a charming wit and the melodies are inviting. And this delightful energy is being carried through its 10-song album. This and Charlie Lim's albums are my favorites this year.
With that said, it's been an insane year for local music releases and of course there are a lot more that weren't mentioned: Stopgap, Jawn Chan, Jamie Wong, DEON, Inch Chua, The Sam Willows, The Psalms, Shigga Shay, In Each Hand a Cutlass, The Astral Journey (TAJ), just to name a few. All of these musicians released an album or EP this year and all are so worth checking out.
So much releases that I forgot to check out overseas music -.- Well, time to plug back into Kendrick Lamar.
Goodnight world and you're welcome. For my two-cents worth of opinion. And if you made it all the way to the end, thanks for powering through this long post.
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