24/06/2026

LYFE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 24, 2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Singaporean indie artiste Hongjoin releases Clockwork S INGAPOREAN Brooklyn based artiste-producer Hongjoin has unveiled his debut full-length album them with the reliability of hands circling a dial. Yet paradoxically, love is the one force that shatters time’s linearity. o Singer explores time’s interaction with love From euphoric highs to contemplative lows, each track captures a distinct mood for every stage of the non-linear journey through love. Arriving alongside the focus single Universe , the record marks a definitive milestone in his career: An ambitious, conceptual rotation through every emotional state of love and loss.

Notep unites ocean, electronic sound in single THAI electronic artiste and environmentalist Notep dove deeper into the natural world with the recent release of her latest single Crystallise . The track serves as the second single from her upcoming EP Pakarang – the Thai word for coral – and continues her exploration of the connections between the ocean, coral reefs and the human experience. More than an ocean-inspired electronic track, Crystallise unfolds as a meditation on surrender, transformation and finding clarity through life’s uncertainties. Blending ethereal vocals with fluid electronic production, the song draws inspiration from the movement of ocean waves and the natural processes that shape coral and crystals over time. “ Crystallise is a piece about surrender, trust and transformation. Blending ethereal vocals, electronic beats and synths inspired by the movement of ocean waves, the track explores letting go and trusting that nature can guide us back to ourselves,” said Notep. The song builds on themes introduced in Radio , the first single released from Pakarang in April. Together, the two tracks form the foundation of a project that explores the idea that the human body and the natural world are not separate systems but interconnected structures shaped by similar forces. For Notep, coral serves as a powerful metaphor throughout the EP. Like the human body, coral is built from minerals, carries memory and strength, and grows gradually through adaptation rather than force. “In a landscape that rewards noise, Pakarang is a quiet refusal. It is music designed to move like water around a living structure,” she explained. Accompanying the release is a visually striking music video directed by digital artist Cyrus James Khan, who previously collaborated with Notep on Radio . Using green-screen footage filmed entirely at home, the pair transforms the visuals into a dreamlike underwater world filled with crystalline surfaces, coral formations and hybrid organic creatures. The result blurs the boundaries between technology, nature and the human body. Rather than simply depicting the ocean, the video imagines it as a living architecture that constantly evolves and reshapes itself, echoing the song’s themes of transformation and resilience. The release of Crystallise aligns with Notep’s ongoing environmental advocacy. – HANDOUT PIC

Clockwork , a 12-track exploration where each song represents one hour on the clock face. The title speaks to Hongjoin’s obsession with time: The way we love someone like clockwork, returning to

In love, past moments bleed into present feelings and future anxieties collapse into now. Clockwork exists in this tension, living between time’s mechanical precision and love’s ability to transcend it.

Drawing inspiration from the timeless tale of The Little Prince , Hongjoin positions himself as the Prince in the focus track Universe , falling deeply for the rose and enduring heartbreak, yet choosing love through it all. The track serves as the gateway to the album, setting the stage with cinematic drums that cascade over spacey synthesisers and delicate-felt piano, while Hongjoin’s vocals cut through layers of cosmic soundscapes. It is atmospheric and vocally striking, showcasing his distinctive approach to self-production and songwriting. The album boldly reimagines the narrative of romance by centring on accountability. Across the project, Hongjoin does not shy away from the uncomfortable truth that sometimes we are the ones at fault. The album celebrates the courage it takes to admit mistakes, to sit through difficult conversations and to still choose love despite our imperfections. This refreshing honesty challenges contemporary narratives around self-sufficiency, instead embracing reliance and dependency as profoundly human traits. Through storytelling production, he proves yearning for someone to fill the holes in your heart does not diminish you – it completes you. Following this release, Hongjoin will take to the stage for his biggest Singapore headline show yet at *Scape Ground Theatre in July. Capturing the hearts of Gen Z

For the album, Hongjoin takes inspiration from the classic novella The Little Prince . hopeless romantics and indie music lovers, the concert invites audiences into a warm, nostalgic world – reflecting on growing up, falling in love and finding yourself all at once. A rising name within Southeast Asia’s new wave of globally-minded artistes, Hongjoin has steadily built momentum across the region and internationally. He has amassed over 10 million streams on Spotify and currently draws more than 183,900 monthly listeners with his top listeners concentrated across key Southeast Asian cities, including Philippines (second), Taiwan (third), Indonesia (fourth), Singapore (fifth), Thailand (sixth), Malaysia (seventh) and Vietnam (12th). In 2024, he received two accolades from Spotify – Top Artiste of Rising 65 and Top 5 Songs of Rising 65 for Komorebi . His music has also received coverage from regional publications including The Straits Times, Men’s Folio and SEA Today News . Clockwork promises a vivid, coming-of-age world – one that captures fleeting romance, youthful imagination and the emotional textures of growing up in motion.

Clockwork speaks to Hongjoin’s obsession with time. – HANDOUT PICS

Iiso returns with Best Friend SINGER-SONGWRITER Iiso recently released her new single Best Friend , which centres on the feeling of having a crush on a close friend, balancing a bright pop surface with the unease and emotional tension of unrequited love. Produced by British producer Mura Masa, the song brings together playful melodies, a strong hook and harder drum textures, pointing towards the UK-influenced sound Iiso has been exploring in her recent work. Its mix was handled by Humming Urban Stereo, also known as HUS, adding a dreamy texture to the track.

The music video sees Iiso working again with director Lafic, who previously directed the video for her single Salad Days . The new visual continues the Seoul-based artiste’s interest in combining music, fashion and visual identity. Iiso is a singer-songwriter, producer and creative director who is closely involved in the sound and presentation of her work. Her music draws from polished pop, Y2K references and alternative sensibilities, placing her between the Korean underground scene and global internet culture.

Iiso produces most of her own releases and directs the visuals, styling and artwork around her projects.

Best Friend centres on the feeling of having a crush on a close friend. – HANDOUT PICS