It’s been a banner year for Singaporean music, which is why we found it so difficult to narrow down our picks for 2024’s best-of lists to just 10 per category. In a year chock-full of fantastic local albums and EPs, these were the cream of the crop that lingered in the hearts, minds and ears of Hear65’s editorial staff.
Hidzir Junaini's picks:
Sushma Soma - THE MOUNTAIN HAS THE LAST SAY
Probably the most profoundly moving work to come out of Singapore this year. Carnatic vocalist Sushma Soma crafted this EP as a response to the passing of her husband after he summited Mount Everest in May of 2023. With the help of producer Aditya Prakash, THE MOUNTAIN HAS THE LAST SAY interweaves her original music with Tamil poetry as a means for the singer to process grief, pain and loss through her voice and mother tongue. We often profess that music and art can be a cathartic vehicle for healing, and nowhere is that truer than on this emotionally searching five-track masterpiece.
Bellied Star - SPUT
Made up of drummer Marco, bassist/vocalist Ethan, guitarist Audrey and guitarist/vocalist Mitch - Bellied Star are one of the promising Gen Z bands to have popped up in the post-Covid era. This year, that promise was emphatically fulfilled with the release of their debut full-length album. Chunky, fuzzy, grungy and filled with smelly teen spirit, SPUT is tremendous from top to bottom. “Most of the songs were written when we were like 14-16 years old. From a creative standpoint we didn’t think much through, we just wanted to write good songs that we could at least be proud of,” Mitch explains in this interview.
Checkpoint Theatre - Secondary: The Musical
Following the trials and tribulations of the faculty and students at a local secondary school, Secondary: The Musical was a deeply moving, hilariously witty, and sharply observant look at the human cost of Singapore’s rigid education system. While the production received universal praise for everything from its uniformly stellar performances to its emotionally engaging story, one of the musical’s greatest strengths was obviously its music. Written and composed by multidisciplinary artist weish, this wonderful original cast recording is the best way to relive one of 2024’s best stage productions… at least until Secondary gets a second run (fingers crossed).
Altoduo - Where Do We Go From Here?
Often referred to as “math-hop”, Altoduo’s intricately woven tapestry of math rock, new age and chillhop has been blowing our minds for years now. Made up of drummer Winifred Tan and bassist John Paul Kwan, the pair’s dexterous technicality and sophisticated songcraft are once again on full display on Where Do We Go From Here? Their latest effort features a more distinct prog rock influence and is themed around “the spaces we've inhabited, grew up with, or spaces that locals may feel strongly towards - reflecting on how we and the community may have overlooked them.” Learn more about their process behind this excellent EP in this interview.
Sigmoid Fn - Sigmoid Fn
Best known as FZPZ, one of Singapore’s most prodigious and talented producers recently took on an alter ego for his first release on local independent label Super Enjoy. The album’s liner notes describe Jarren Lim’s EP as being “inspired by an obsession with machine learning and a desire to return to the foundations of sequencing and synthesis.” We aren’t sure how learning models and algorithms contributed to Sigmoid Fn’s creative equations but these four tracks are guaranteed to fire off those pleasure synapses in your neural networks (biological or artificial). Cerebral yet danceable deep tech house of the highest order.
Nash Farhan's picks:
Mystique - Face Your Fate
Mystique, the fast-rising hardcore force signed to UK-based label Quality Control HQ, is making waves across Southeast Asia with their electrifying energy and unrelenting speed. Drawing comparisons to Cro-Mags with their pounding rhythms and ferocious vocals, Mystique knows how to get bodies flying in the pit. Their debut full-length Face Your Fate is an adrenaline-fueled ride from start to finish—infectious, relentless, and guaranteed to bring a grin to any hardcore fan's face. Adding to the hype, the record features a standout guest appearance from Jem Siow, frontman of global hardcore powerhouse Speed, cementing Mystique as a band you can’t afford to miss when they come through.
Destiny - To See Another Day...
Destiny’s latest release obliterates the ceiling of what the Singapore hardcore scene can deliver, pushing boundaries while staying true to their signature sound. This five-track powerhouse erupts with raw, unfiltered emotion, each scream and riff a visceral connection to their audience. At their live shows, the crowd transforms into a sea of shared intensity—moshing, stage dives, and shout-alongs amplifying the cathartic energy. The standout moment comes with ‘How Do You Feel,’ a thunderous collaboration with renowned U.S. hardcore heavyweights Magnitude, cementing Destiny’s growing global influence and proving their unrelenting rise with every release.
lullaboy - coming home
Lullaboy takes a bold artistic stride with his latest album, Coming Home. Centered on the theme of finding home—not just as a physical space but as a feeling within yourself and in the hearts of others—the album is a heartfelt exploration of love, self-discovery, and belonging. Featuring three brand-new tracks, it highlights Lullaboy's evolving musical style and deepened lyrical insight."Home isn’t a place; it’s a state of heart," the artist shared in an exclusive interview. "It’s where love is, but most importantly, it’s about coming back to yourself. This album serves as a reminder to explore love and life, but never forget the road that leads you home." Read more about this amazing album here.
Akeem Jahat - 53LUDOPE
Akeem Jahat, the sensational rapper repping Woodlands, first made waves with his clever wordplay and avant-garde approach to hip-hop on his 2014 mixtape SeluDOPE. A critical success, it paved the way for collaborations with regional heavyweights like Joe Flizzow, SonaOne, and Hullera. Now, a decade later, Akeem revisits his roots with 53LUDOPE—a reimagined version of seven tracks featuring fresh flows and arrangements, available on all streaming platforms. More than a nostalgic throwback, 53LUDOPE is a tribute to the fans who’ve stood by him since day one.
Fader - I'm sorry this took a while, I haven't been myself lately
After six years away, Fader storms back onto the scene with their two-track EP, I'm Sorry This Took a While, I Haven't Been Myself Lately. Each track feels like an intimate diary laid bare, pulsing with raw emotion and fearless vulnerability. ‘Motions of Life’ sweeps through waves of bittersweet nostalgia, reflecting on the relentless passage of time and unhealed wounds, while ‘Coming Clean’ dives into deeply personal scars, confronting them with unflinching bravery. This isn’t just a collection of songs, it’s a cathartic declaration of resilience and growth, a triumphant return from a band unafraid to bare their souls. Fans can look forward to intense sing-alongs, heartfelt finger-pointing, and adrenaline-charged stage dives as these tracks ignite Fader’s upcoming shows.
