It’s always rewarding to see an artist who’s been thoroughly hyped on the national radar successfully deliver the goods live. But it’s arguably even more rewarding to have your mind blown by an artist you’ve never heard before.
That was what happened to us at BIGSOUND 2018‘s Hear65 Singapore showcase at Ric’s Backyard, which served up an absolutely golden harvest of talent and captivating sounds from the Southeast Asian island state.
Here’s 4 Singaporean music makers who are definitely worth checking out.
1.Charlie Lim
Cinematic and mesmerising, Charlie Lim’s live show is a kaleidoscope of varied pop soundscapes. Gently tilting from melancholic acoustic lullabies to head-bopping electro pop hymns, this was more intoxicating than the house bubbly.
For Fans Of: SAFIA, Angus & Julia Stone, Radiohead
2. Intriguant
DJ and producer Intriguant delivers the kind of celestial grooves that could soundtrack a dancefloor on the moon. Feels like shaking your hips in zero gravity. Read: out of this world.
For Fans Of: Mansionair, Japanese Wallpaper, Flume
3. Linying
Singer-songwriter Linying will leave you transfixed. She drizzles her exquisitely breathless soprano over a heady blend of electronic-folk pop, and doesn’t shy away from using your heartstrings as accompaniment.
We’re not crying, YOU’RE CRYING
For Fans Of: Vera Blue, Thelma Plum, Meg Mac
4. The Steve McQueens
Anything but ordinary, this experimental quartet’s neo-vintage soul-funk song structures have more twists than an M. Night Shyamalan movie. Charismatic vocals duel with frantic horn lines and jazz beats for your attention but still somehow thread into a seamless whole.
Whether you choose to focus on the whole forest here or pivot your gaze between the individual trees, you’ll still be awestruck by what is essentially a living, heaving ecosystem of preposterous talent.
And you will groove. Yes, you will groove.
For Fans Of: Hiatus Kayote, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo
