08/07/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | JULY 8, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Singapore’s rising star releases new single M ARKING his solo comeback, WhyLucas has unveiled a seductive new single Tiara , rich with allure and the mystery of a magnetic rendezvous. The only Singaporean o WhyLucastoperform attwomusicfestivals

Haunting summer soundscapes RISING J-pop artiste Tomonari Sora has dropped his latest single Yoimatsuri , which fuses traditional Japanese sounds with modern pop, capturing the haunting beauty of a summer night festival filled with memories, myths and fireworks.

Self-described “pop killer of the Reiwa era”, Sora is an up-and coming Japanese artiste and producer known for his intricate wordplay, metaphor-rich lyrics and bold, aggressive soundscapes. A true artiste in every sense, he self-produces his music, from writing and composing to mixing and designing his album artwork. With a unique ability to blend different musical elements, Sora continues to captivate audiences with his innovative approach to music. Originally teased via a demo in July 2024, Yoimatsuri quickly sparked user-generated content across social platforms, with fans sharing clips evolving around yukata , lanterns, riverbanks and other nostalgic scenes from Japanese summer traditions. With widespread anticipation building for the past year, the full official release finally arrives – now accompanied by a stunning lyric video animated by Totorika × Seeyu Age, featuring riverside lanterns, engawa porches and supernatural creatures that breathe life into the singer’s poetic storytelling. Lyrically, the song paints a fantastical “twilight festival” connecting the living and the dead – a gentle, dreamlike prayer to reunite with loved ones in a world suspended between

representative in Chuang Asia Season 2 , WhyLucas became a hot topic across the region for his bubbly, extroverted personality and high-energy performances. Despite entering the survival show with no prior experience in dancing and idol training, WhyLucas defied all odds and made it to the finals, earning praise for his talents from global stars BamBam, Lisa and The8. Now, with his guitar in hand, WhyLucas is returning to his roots as a singer songwriter, melding it with his new idol identity. He steps boldly into the next phase of his career with a newly signed management deal under music label Cross Ratio Entertainment, ready to take his artistry to the next level. Released last month, his new single Tiara is a sultry, high-stakes game of love set to a pulse-pounding beat, with an air of mystery that is impossible to pin down. Every thrumming beat of the song reels listeners into a slowburn dance of thrill and desire. Fans of WhyLucas, affectionately known as WhyNots, have plenty to look forward to in the near future. He is set to perform at two major upcoming events: Sundown Festival and Waterbomb Singapore, where he producer and singer-songwriter James Berkeley – best known as the former frontman of UK neo-soul outfit Yakul – is stepping confidently into solo territory with his debut album Lost Boy, Golden Hour , with the record’s lead single Giving Me Love released last Friday. Blending elements of soul, jazz, dream pop, indie and electronica, Berkeley crafts a sound that is distinct yet familiar – think Thundercat meets Japanese Breakfast with shades of Washed Out. Having earned previous nods from the likes of Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music), Complex and Earmilk, his solo work builds on that foundation with bold vulnerability and deep musicality. “My new single Giving Me Love is a reminder that even at your lowest, the people closest to you can still see your best self. And through them you can rediscover it for yourself,” explained Berkeley. The album was sparked by an impulsive moment at the end of summer 2024. “I am writing an album and I am

Sora’s hypnotic new single Yoimatsuri is a summer twilight song.

memory and myth. Scenes featuring Daidarabotchi giants in the forest, kappa in the river, distant fireworks and the chorus of insects evoke Japan’s folkloric roots and emotional landscapes. The result is a slow-burning and deeply spiritual track that softly lights a fire in the listener’s heart. True to his singular vision, Sora oversaw every creative detail: lyrics, composition, arrangement, mixing and even the cover art. The release is yet another showcase of his genre-defying style, rooted in Japanese tradition yet always reaching into something new. song’s unhurried nature opens a quiet space for listeners to reflect on their own experiences. Senang Ok, Sedih Gpp is a personal reflection of acceptance towards the chaos of life. It is an invitation not just to make peace with but to embrace the imperfections, anxiety and uncertainty. Only by opening our hearts to positive and negative emotions, can we really feel the full experience to be human. Petra is a musician in the contemporary Indonesian music scene, known for his reflective, emotional and nuanced works. Generating over 220 million streams, he has released four studio albums to date, including notable collaborations with Pamungkas, Hindia and Tulus. Petra is a sought-after producer and songwriter, working with up-and-coming Indonesian artistes such as Nadhif Basalamah and Bernadya. His collaboration with Bernadya earned them multiple wins at the 2024 Anugerah Musik Indonesia , including Best Album, Best Pop Album and Best Pop Songwriter. Underscoring his influence beyond the local scene, Petra’s impact has extended across Southeast Asia, marked by his production work for Singaporean singer-songwriter Sezairi and Filipino band Ben&Ben.

Known for his soulful voice, emotive storytelling and high-energy performances, WhyLucas has built a strong identity as a self-produced artiste with a distinct and authentic sound.

Embracing imperfections INDONESIAN singer, producer, songwriter and multi

strive for greater heights. With Tiara , WhyLucas turns the page on a bold new chapter – and this is only the beginning. Tiara is now available on all digital streaming platforms.

will be bringing his charismatic stage presence and the debut of Tiara live. With a new team and label, WhyLucas is setting his sights for Southeast Asia and beyond, emboldened by his regional fans to

instrumentalist Petra Sihombing has released an introspective new single 80 km/h off his upcoming fifth studio album Senang Ok, Sedih Gpp , set for release on Aug 8. As the lead single off his fifth studio album, 80 km/h embodies Petra’s newfound calmness, as he navigates through life’s journey at cruise control. The lyrics echo an inner dialogue, gently paced and complemented by the tonal warmth of the instrumentation. The

James Berkeley drops album teaser BRITISH multi-instrumentalist,

doing it now,” Berkeley told his modest following on Instagram. Since then, he has grown his audience 10-fold, amassed over 30,000 followers and fully completed an album entirely written, produced, performed and mixed by himself. No stranger to the UK jazz, R&B and soul circuits, Berkeley made his mark with Yakul, from selling out Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club three times to collaborating with Mereba and co-writing with Incognito on Tomorrow’s New Dream . He has also toured internationally with Incognito, playing residencies at Blue Note Tokyo and Blue Note Milan. Outside the spotlight, he has been quietly prolific: releasing two EPs as a solo artiste and collaborating with long-time creative partner Edbl, including their 2022 joint EP which has since racked up over two million streams. He has also supported acts such as Cosmo Pyke and continues to build a reputation for his studio prowess and magnetic live energy. With a signature falsetto, jazz-inflected piano voicings and a passion for analogue synth textures,

Berkeley is best known as the former frontman of UK neo-soul outfit Yakul. Berkeley is a genre-defiant artiste with something to say. Lost Boy, Golden Hour is more than a debut – it is a declaration of creative freedom.

80 km/h embodies Petra’s newfound calmness.