16/08/2025

LYFE SATURDAY | AUG 16, 2025

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Blackbraid’s finest album yet o Band’s third record keeps to familiar melodic, acoustic balance

ALBUM REVIEW

These tracks also show much better Krieger has become when it comes to writing melodic and acoustic parts, like God of Black Blood , where the oppressive heavy guitar rhythm is slowly pushed to the back when the flutes start coming in. Like a storm that tears through a rainforest, leaving a quiet calm afterwards, before the inevitable return of rain and thunder, Blackbraid III sees Krieger punctuating each searing song with ambient interludes that vary between acoustic solos and tremolo picking mixed with flutes and sounds from nature. Krieger should just abandon the “rigidity” Blackbraid has written itself into and go hogwild for the next album, especially with the indigenous instruments, more than ever before. For example, take the excellent Native American flute usage, which is sadly constrained to what, two out of 10 songs on the album? It does not make sense to hold back when he can easily take his brand of native black metal higher by just experimenting more, similar to what bands like Maquahuitl have done. That said, Blackbraid’s almost overnight success after its 2022 debut album still seems justified. The project may not be pushing the subgenre’s envelope or even quench the thirst of extreme metal fans for “true black metal” music that sounds like it was recorded in a Norwegian cave using a toaster. However, it cannot be denied that like Blackbraid I and Blackbraid II , Krieger’s third album will surely summon more ears towards the more extreme domain based purely on how much of a banger the album is. Blackbraid III is streaming on music platforms.

Ű BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR

A T this point, it is foolish to expect Blackbraid to pivot into the more ferocious and militant domain of Native American metal, inhabited by the likes of Pan-Amerikan Native Front and Blue Hummingbird on the Left. The band’s sole member Jon Krieger is not reinventing the wheel with the project’s newly released third studio album Blackbraid III . In fact, it seems he is leaning even harder into his particular variety of black metal, musically and conceptually. The third album is a continuation of what he has always done and intends to continue doing, by keeping his music tethered to nature and adjacent indigenous themes. For what it is and seeks to do, the album is a step up from Blackbraid’s previous two studio albums, mainly as an extended third-parter. Everything is slightly refined and sounds better, especially Krieger’s vocals. This is evident from the very first spin through the album. Opening with the fist-pumping Wardrums at Dawn on the Day of My Death , the album goes into songs that dances the fine line between sounding similar to Blackbraid’s previous outputs but also sounding fresh at the same time.

Having perfected Blackbraid’s sound, Krieger’s subsequent albums will benefit from experimentation. – PIC FROM WOLF MOUNTAIN PRODUCTIONS

Kun releases soulful new single Jasmine

MULTI-HYPHE N ATE artiste Kun (Cai Xukun) – singer, producer and fashion icon – has unveiled his latest single Jasmine , which dives deep into a rich, retro-soul soundscape and a hypnotic rhythm section that pulses with funk-inflected swagger. The production is lush and cinematic, yet intimate – wrapping the listener in a smoky, late night atmosphere that feels equal parts vulnerable and seductive. With Jasmine , Kun steps confidently into a more emotionally resonant era of his artistry, revealing a performer in full command of both his voice and his vision. “Chasing a figment of love, you realise even illusions have the power to transform you. The melody came to me right after I heard the beat and I instantly felt this groove...” expressed Kun in a recent statement describing the song. “That was the starting point, and everything just evolved really quickly from there. It’s a very different process from Deadman , which started with a concept first.” Jasmine releases on the heels of May’s critically acclaimed Deadman , which marked an earlier step in Kun’s ongoing sonic transformation – a smoldering, groove-heavy track that infuses retro soul with a sharp, modern polish. Vocally, Kun moves with ease between soft falsetto and commanding belts, delivering a performance that’s both raw and restrained. He premiered the track live during the finale of this year’s Head In The Clouds Festival, as part of the event’s epic grand finale. Since then, the music video has captivated nearly two million views on YouTube. Deadman also received TME Golden Single status within its first four days of release on Tencent Music Entertainment and reached first on eight QQ Music charts, further cementing its widespread acclaim. Kun took the stage at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles for a sold-out headlining performance earlier this month – his first-ever show on the West Coast, which sold out in minutes. The

Kun steps confidently into a more emotionally resonant era of his artistry with Jasmine . – PIC BY CASPER YEN

Clouds New York on Sept 20 at Under the K Bridge. First rising to fame as the lead vocalist of the hit Chinese group Nine Percent, Kun has since emerged as a defining voice in global pop. Known for his expressive vocals and sharp production sensibilities, he has earned acclaim not only as a performer but also as a songwriter and producer. His standout tracks, including Wait Wait Wait , Rebirth (a collaboration with DJ KSHMR) and Afterglow , have smashed streaming records and earned accolades like the Tencent Music Chart Golden Single and the Billboard Global No. 1s China Representative title. With a growing global fanbase and a creative vision that continues to evolve, Kun is solidifying his place as one of the most exciting artistes on the world stage.

milestone event was more than just a concert; it was a celebration of artistry, connection and gratitude. The venue pulsed with electrifying energy as Kun delivered fan-favourite hits, surprise arrangements and previews of unreleased tracks set to drop later this year. Fans sang along to every word, with some travelling from across the country – and even overseas – to witness the moment. The show doubled as a birthday celebration, complete with fan tributes and a surprise on-stage cake. From its stunning visuals to Kun’s effortless charisma, the night served as both a love letter to his fans and a powerful reminder that his journey is only just beginning. Next up, Kun will take the stage in Singapore at the Bubbling & Boiling Music and Arts Festival on Sept 14, followed by Head In The

Kun has emerged as a defining voice in global pop. – PIC BY ZOE SIMONE YI