Since the beginning, we’ve been reviewing music on Hear65 every week, and now we'd like to break away from this tradition and pass the baton over to you - the listeners of Singapore’s music. If you've ever been itching to share your thoughts about a new track release, or simply want to introduce good earworms to more listeners, then read on.
For the uninitiated, the Hear65 website has a Review Function to help visitors discover and gain greater insight into the music in Singapore. Good music should always be shared, and we are inviting contributions from friends and fans of our homegrown artists.
Every two weeks, the Hear65 team will select a few reviews to publish in a Review Round Up article. Just check out the latest releases and submit your review for a chance to be featured.
Here’s what readers have to say this week:
Sister, The Moon - Joanna Dong, 实践剧场 The Theatre Practice
Jean Ferry, 100/100: The first thing that hits you is the layering and overlaying of the vocals to an off-centred beat. Is this really Joanna Dong? What surprised me the most (beyond the unexpected genre) is the intricacy of how the song flows from one movement to the other seamlessly, pushing the listener into a dream-like state, yet hauntingly caressed by the lulls of the vocal trills that envelope the empty spaces. With lots of room to breathe, the track allows for imagination to happen. This is coupled with Joanna’s lyrics, which provide a rich, visual landscape within the song. I find it hard to be excited by music these days, but this song - especially with the use of fifths (icing on the cake, in my opinion) shows her mastery of the craft of songwriting.
在意 - LINGBRANDON
Cally Lau, 90/100: Singaporean singer-songwriter LingBrandon’s debut single 在意 is an incredibly heartfelt track that is undeniably human. The track explores themes of acceptance, empathy and humanity; a refreshing passion project that is a timely release in the context of the unfortunate events that have unfolded in modern-day humanity. The melody beautifully blends with the lyrics to evoke feelings of melancholy that is juxtaposed with a sense of hope. Brandon’s emotionally striking and expressive vocals invites listeners to journey with him through the thoughts in his head, effectively creating a warmth-toned atmosphere of contemplation and reflection. He displays an understanding of using vulnerability to create music that strikes a chord with his listeners. The track reminds me of the feeling I get when I have a bad day or experience but decide to pick myself up and carry on. The high quality music production coupled with skilful song writing perfectly captures that sense of courage, endurance and faith. This effortless listen is not only relatable, but also effective in bringing listeners comfort and companionship as they gain a deeper connection and understanding to the message behind the song. This debut track is an evident indication of impeccable artistry and I look forward to hearing more from him in the future.
Reciprocate - Nic Soze, Babebee
Lena, 100/100: Reciprocate is definitely my favorite track out of the Lost EP. Something about Nic's lyrics and sound makes it so special and so incredibly catchy at the same time. Babebee adds the contrast required to make both of them shine and the switch between them is so mellow. As much as I love Nic's more aggressive tone like the one in ''Levels'' I really do think that tracks like Reciprocate really allow his emotional side to show, making the listener really engage with the track's ''story'' and relate with the human behind the lyrics. Amazing track from start to finish, I just love to see Nic grow as an artist and I cannot wait to see what's in store for him artistically in the near and far future!
Tell Me - Evxns
Varun Sanyal, 100/100: ‘Tell Me’ is a big step up from Evans’ previous works. The production and vocals in the song create a soundscape that is both lush and raw at the same time. In comparison to one of his previous songs and one of my favourites ‘Run’, which was full of raw emotions, Evans has improved his lyrical story telling ability and matured in his sound. ‘Tell Me’ is a song I would listen to on repeat and I'm excited for what's next!
