12/09/2025

LYFE FRIDAY | SEPT 12, 2025

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It’s The Ship readies its sail

Labit meditates on unexpected love with single Parallel FILIPINO-AMERICAN crooner Labit makes a return with Parallel , a sweeping meditation on unexpected love and quiet revelation. Accompanied by a striking music video exploring the unseen connections between strangers, the single offers an evocative preview of Labit’s forthcoming album Sol , arriving Oct 17. At its core, Parallel captures the rush of clarity when love reveals itself in the most unexpected place: right beside you. Built on shimmering melodies, spacious arrangements and Labit’s signature honeyed vocals, the track soars as a love song and a moment of self-discovery. Produced by Travis Heidelman and co-written with Gabriella Mejias, Parallel finds Labit layering warm instrumentation with an emotional candour that has become his calling card. The result is a track that feels as intimate as it is universal. The accompanying music video brings the emotional heartbeat of Parallel into full focus. Directed by filmmaking duo Hazart, the video was inspired by the simple yet transcendent experience of hearing a great song in the back of a New York City cab. For Parallel , that iconic moment was reimagined with a personal touch: instead of a cab, the story unfolds inside a Buick Lasabre, the same car that Labit’s grandmother, Sol – the namesake of the upcoming album – drove him around in as a child. A central motif of the video is the depiction of 12 different groups of people from all walks of life, each representing worlds that could feel entirely separate, yet bound by the shared “parallels” in their lives. What began as a friendship between Labit and Hazart who bonded over play-dates with their dogs has blossomed into a creative partnership. Hazart invited longtime collaborators to the project and worked alongside choreographer Genevieve Carson, whose dance direction bridges gestural references to contemporary viral moves with symbolic gestures underscoring Labit’s lyrics. Visual artist Collin Black contributed VFX work that transforms the outside world during the chorus into an abstract visualiser – a nod to WinAmp graphics and Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey . Together, these elements create a heightened reality of “dancing to a great song in the back of the car”, while keeping the focus firmly on the joy, surprise and connection at the heart of Parallel .

o Line-up of seafaring music festival features top international talent

I T’S The Ship, Asia’s largest festival at sea, has unveiled its full line-up, set to headline its ninth inaugural charter from Singapore. The music festival at sea is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience, with an impressive roster of performers ready to set sail from Singapore out to international waters and back from Nov 16 to 18. The festival will feature a roster of international talent, headlined by DJ Mag Top 100 artistes Alok, Nicky Romero and Timmy Trumpet. Adding prestige to the lineup, Stmpd Rcrds – the renowned label founded by Martin Garrix – will present their “Golden Era of EDM” showcase featuring DubVision, Justin Mylo and Telykast. The diverse programming continues with Code Black, Australia’s hardstyle sensation known for euphoric anthems and festival-shaking drops, alongside tech house star Tita Lau, whose underground-meets-festival sound has garnered support from industry giants Tiesto and David Guetta. Joining the global headliners are crowd favourites Irwan, Bass Agents, Blink, FBSJ, Amber Na, Nahsyk and more. Fans can also look forward to the Saturday Selects, a collective featuring Roshan, Damien, Irama and Peot, who will be taking over the festival’s magical Sunrise set, a signature highlight of the ship’s unique festival atmosphere. This year also shines a spotlight on fresh talent with Aginta.Vi, winner of the Deck Selecta 2025 competition, who will make his It’s The Ship debut after triumphing in the festival’s search for the next DJ star. Adding to the diversity, hip-hop artiste Tobii from Def Jam Thailand, known for his viral hit Bad Girls Like You with over 30 million YouTube views, will bring his live performance to the decks. With more than 60 international and regional acts confirmed, It’s The Ship Singapore 2025 offers round-the-clock music alongside themed parties including Retro Metro,

Artiste line-up for It’s The Ship.

Not to be missed is the special show Bezerkus Bingo hosted by The Drags of Anarchy from Amsterdam – an interactive musical bingo experience featuring drag queens with games, prizes, singing and dancing.

Superheroes Sleepless Society, Drip: Foam Party, Wig-A-Thon and more. Along with the music, shipmates will enjoy artiste-led side activities ranging from sunrise yoga and neon dance aerobics to mini golf and high-intensity interval training workouts – blurring the line between fans and performers. vs Villains,

Those eager to be part of this one-of-a-kind voyage can secure cabins, with prices starting from US$899 (RM3,796) per cabin. Aina the End’s latest song on Billboard Global 200

AINA the End’s latest single On the Way has entered the Billboard Global 200 at number 191. Launched in September 2020, the Billboard Global 200 ranks songs using streaming and download data from over 200 territories worldwide. Aina’s charting is a major career milestone, reflecting her global reach beyond Japan. The track serves as the opening theme for TV anime Dan Da Dan season two, and is entirely written and composed by Aina herself. In Japan, it has gone viral on YouTube through covers, fan reactions and user-generated content. The song dominated the Billboard Hot Animation chart for three straight weeks, spent nine weeks on the Japan Hot 100, climbed to number five on Billboard Japan Streaming Songs and reached number 108 on the Billboard Global Excl US chart – her highest global ranking to date. Internationally, the anime’s popularity has boosted the track further. Reaction videos and music video clips have circulated worldwide, while Spotify has placed the song on viral charts in over 50 countries.

Labit. – PIC BY ERICA HERNANDEZ

On the Way cover art.