We’ll soon be ushering in the new year as the end of 2020, the
pandemic-wrought year that it is, draws nearer. This has been a rough year for
everyone, no matter which industry they’re working in or which walks of life
they come from, no one is spared from the misery of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Knowing this, Singapore’s Gentle Bones and Benjamin Kheng hope to spread some
good cheer with their latest collaboration, “Better With You”.

It’s the title track of the eponymous EP by Gentle Bones, which also
features his solo pop track “Put My Hands Up”.

The two-track EP is the 26-year-old singer’s fourth, which he calls “a
collection of my most personal and honest dialogues for 2020.”

With it, the singer – real name Joel Tan – allows listeners to have some
insight to his thoughts at a time where COVID-19 has wreaked havoc, leaving
most of us vulnerable and grappling with issues such as mental health, while
at the same time sitting ourselves down and having some much-needed
introspection.

Gentle Bones’ new EP “Better With You” is available on all platforms from
today onwards, so be sure to check it out!

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A post shared by Gentle Bones (@bonesgentle)

As the focus track, “Better With You” is described as a frank, thoughtful
attempt at reaching out to a loved one and checking in on them – letting
others know that the people around them value and appreciate them and that
life indeed is better when they are around. 

With the soothing vocals and pop groove, the duo will woo everyone’s hearts
with their warmth as they sing out this meaningful song in this festive
season. The duo also highlighted that they managed to fit in a popular meme in
the music arrangement with another producer of the track. Check out the song
on all digital platforms to find out more!

Kheng joked that he wanted to call their project ‘Gentle Beng’ but Gentle
Bones wouldn’t let him. Let’s find out what else they have to say about
their latest collabo. Read on below for our interview with Gentle Bones (GB)
and Benjamin Kheng (Ben)!

TheHive.Asia: This isn’t your first time working together, of course, but what
sort of new challenges did you guys have to overcome while collaborating
during this pandemic and new normal? 

GB: Yup, this isn’t our first time working together. Thankfully Ben gave me
much of his time. I sent him a couple of the melodies with some past lyrics,
here and there, and I asked him whether he is willing to sing with me in this
song and help write and finish the track, and he came on board. And it became
the beautiful song that you hear right now, which is “Better With You”. It’s
been a tricky time overall, but it’s also been a great time for making music.
So which is making the most of it.

Ben: To be honest, I didn’t feel any challenges, because we actually had more
time on our hands to get this project going. Thanks COVID! If anything, it’s
just a bummer that we don’t get to perform it as much as we would’ve liked.

How has the pandemic affected you guys as musicians?

GB: It’s definitely been a tricky time, we ran out of opportunities to play in
live shows, which has been a huge part of my career, and something I’ve really
enjoyed, being able to present the music that I made to people who are willing
to listen and watch it live. That’s out of the picture because of the pandemic
but it also allows me time to really fall back in love in making music like I
did when I was 16. With no pressure, no worries of having to prove anything.
That’s one of the blessings that come out of this. I like to focus on the
positive side of things.

Ben: I’m grateful for all the live-streaming gigs available, but I’d kill to
play to a live audience. It’s also made me pivot. I pivoted hard. Have you
seen me on TikTok? That’s me pivoting.

(Photo source: Cross Ratio Entertainment & Gentle Bones)

This latest EP is all about increasing mental health awareness, do tell us
more about your whole process in producing the EP.

GB: The focus track of this EP is “Better With You”. “Put My Hands Up” is a
bonus track that I am putting out together in this EP, for people to enjoy.
It’s a tricky thing about mental health awareness, what we wanted to do with
the song is sort of a reminder to people the world is really better with you
around. 

And it’s not a statement when you put in the whole idea, the butterfly effect,
whereby you can cause a good thing for somebody or you show a simple act to
somebody in the day or one person in a week. That kind of love that is really
outwards towards more and more people. It’s a beautiful thing and
understanding it alone and acknowledging the fact that this world can be
better with me around. 

And looking outside of yourself instead of being caught up with the troubles
we have within. Being the source of love that you feel you like. That’s what
we are trying to breach and I think mental health awareness kinda ties in as
well.

GB, how was it like venturing into hip hop with “Put My Hands Up”? Talk to us
more about the song.

GB: I always wanted to do hip hop songs, which just came to me one day just
trying to write over some hip hop beats. Spreading together on some cool beat
on logic, and I thought this song sounded quite cool, so I sang something over
it. Then it became “Put My Hands Up”. It’s just meant to be a small play, you
know when DJ says ‘put your hands up’ and I’m just saying ‘put my hands
up’. 

(Photo source: Sony Music Singapore)

Ben, congrats on being nominated for Best Southeast Asia Act at the MTV Europe
Music Awards! Care to share your thoughts on the type of music that Southeast
Asian singers/musicians should produce, in order to make the region more
internationally recognised for its music?

Ben: Thank you! I think we’re doing a really good job already as is. I don’t
think we should pander too much to the West. We just gotta do us. Be cultural,
be real, be dope. I think the more pressing battle is for locals to listen to
their very own artists more. We can keep buying ad space, but it’s got to be
word of mouth too.

Last but not least, are you working on any movies or TV series right now?

Ben: I am, but unfortunately I can’t say much right now!

(Photo source: Cross Ratio Entertainment)

Here’s another name to welcome to the music world: Tiara Amelia! The Singaporean singer drops her debut single today. Called “Come Around”, it is a sensual, no-holds-barred R&B number that marks her first venture into the auditory medium.

“I want to put out things that are true to what I feel in the moment, and not hold back or censor myself. Girls have needs too, girls want to have fun too, so I’m just expressing that,” Tiara said in a press statement.

“I used to perform covers with my band a long time ago, but I never dared to release my originals because writing music has always been such a private and personal outlet.

“It took a lot of self-reflection for me to realise that I should at least take the first step, because life’s too short to not do things that I’ve always wanted to,” she added.

Her debut single, produced by Axel Teoh, explores the instinctual desire and longing for one’s lover. Its raw message is the unabashed expression of female sexuality and carnal pleasure. Tiara’s beckoning croons are complimented by the hazy, enchanting instrumentals that add to the mood of the track.

Tiara is no stranger to the music world as she has worked in related fields over the last few years. She is a PR & Social Media Strategist by day and a creator all other times – with music being her latest creative pursuit. With a musical style that’s influenced by powerful female figures in classic Rock and R&B, she wishes to channel the badassery of Joan Jett and Janis Joplin while maintaining the graceful femininity of Jhene Aiko and Ciara.

Take a listen to “Come Around” on all streaming platforms and follow Tiara Amelia on Instagram (@tia.raamelia) for more updates.

Dark pop songstress Naomi G and producer Eve Ali have recently released their brand-new crossover track, “Who? (Ah Vi)”.

Described as a result of when “house music collides with the brooding, more ethereal end of pop music”, the song touches on the dark side of losing ourselves in the new digital age.

“Although the song deals with something dark, it holds the positive message of breaking out of technology addiction in order to explore one’s full potential mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally,” Eve Alai explained in a press statement.

“Also, Naomi’s voice isn’t the usual type of voice you hear on a dance record. I am happy to be pushing the envelope in terms of my sonic palette,” he added.

Prior to “Who? (Ah Vi)”, the Singapore-based producer-songwriter dropped a track called “For Life” featuring another talented singer, Sri Lankan pop artist Senara.

Meanwhile, Naomi G made her debut back in October with the sensuous “Cage the Animal”.

Both Eve Alai and Naomi G will be releasing their respective debut EP under Singaporean indie label Umami Records sometime in 2021.

In the meantime, click the video below to listen to “Who? (Ah Vi)” or stream it at https://www.umamirecords.sg/who-ah-vi/

Released today is the final song from Gail Belmonte’s trio of 2020 singles. Called “Restart”, the electro-R&B ballad is written by Belmonte herself based on her personal experience.

“It was deeply upsetting at the time but I learnt so much, including the fact that there will be new beginnings, even if it seems like it won’t be happening anytime soon or in the ways we want,” the Filipina-Singaporean singer-songwriter stated.

The most personal of her releases so far, the song, with its steady 808 kick that plays throughout, immerses listeners in a harrowing tale of breakup and romantic dissolution.

“I wanted this to be like the sound of a heartbeat, grounding the song musically from start to finish,” Belmonte added.

Having successfully debuted as a solo artiste under Singapore’s Umami Records with her three singles this year, the R&B/soul singer-songwriter is now working on a self-titled debut EP that is set to be released in 2021.

Aside from that, fans can also look forward to her upcoming collaboration with R&B singer Angelo Martinez on an acoustic EP.

For now, fans can take a listen to “Restart” here: https://www.umamirecords.sg/restart/

Indie R&B/Soul singer-songwriter Marian Carmel has recently released her
new song, “Rose”.

Described as a soothing track filled with lush vocal harmonies, the
song is inspired by the phrase “rose-tinted glasses” and tells of the blessing
as well as the curse of being too optimistic. 

“I have grown a little older, I have learnt a little more / but whatever
happens, hope it’s not forgotten / or seen with glasses tinted rose,” the
Philippine-born Singapore-based singer croons in the song that she dubs a form
of catharsis for her as she makes peace with her personal growth.

“Rose’ is about being okay with that; including the mistakes you’ve made,
whatever your coping mechanisms are, and giving yourself credit for your
growth. Something I wish I knew back then, but I’m happy to know now,” Marian
said of her new song, which is a reply to her debut single “Might Never Get
Better”, where she shares the frustrations she faced on her journey towards
healing.

“Rose”, released on 6 November, is the first single off the 23-year-old’s
upcoming debut concept album under Singapore-based indie label, Where Are The
Fruits. The album will be centred on the concept of letters, with “Rose” being
the first letter of the album.

Marian Carmel hints that this special postcard comes with a surprise!

The single’s release is accompanied by a limited-edition AR-activated
postcard.

Marian hopes that the A5-sized postcard, illustrated by Beverley Ng and
engineered by Samson Sim, will inspire her fans to send letters to their loved
ones.

It will include a personalised and handwritten message from the singer, the
first demo of the song, and a surprise! (The singer hints that “this is more
than just a postcard”.)

Listen to “Rose” and purchase the postcard at this link:
https://www.mariancarmel.com/links

Singaporean singer Leon Markcus’ “Welcome to Hot City” Virtual Tour kicked off last month but the fun isn’t over yet, as the tour will continue to be held throughout this month until January 2021!

If you missed out on the October livestream, here’s a little recap: it began with an intimate Reimagined: Livesession, with fans helping to revamp the “Hot City” single, plus a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of music-making and the people behind the works of Leon’s music and inspiration. 

Next, Leon warmed audiences’ hearts with the summer-esque Acoustics Live session, covering songs from the E.P, followed by the Lyric Dissect hosted together with Erwin from LetsBeReal Podcast in a comical battle of wits to avoid eating spicy foods. On Halloween, fans were also treated to Leon’s “escape” into the darkness in collaboration with The EscapeArtist.

As to what fans can look forward to from this month until early next year, it’s as stated in the poster below.

Mark the dates for Leon Markcus’ “Welcome to Hot City” Virtual Tour!

The Singaporean indie pop singer-songwriter’s “Welcome to Hot City” EP features star-studded talents, ranging from Baltimore rapper ‘Kotic Couture’ to 2019 Eurovision Finalist ‘Bilal Hassani’, debuting at number 4 and 6 respectively on the Apple music pop chart upon their releases. 

Following the EP’s release in October 2019, it was nominated for last year’s Youth Music Awards for its title track “Hot City”. The singer has also been performing on various Livestream concerts, such as Home Music Mix 2020 (Hong Kong / Taiwan), Atlas Digital: Stay At Home Concert Edition (Los Angeles: USA), and Pink Dot 2020 alongside Joanna Dong and Charlie Lim.

As we wait for the next sessions from the virtual tour, which fans can keep track of at https://www.instagram.com/itsLeonMarkcus/ or https://www.youtube.com/c/LeonMarkcus/, first let’s check out Leon singing the acoustic live version of “Hot City” below!

“Can anyone hear me, can anyone see me, I’m reaching out but there’s no one
around,” Jason Yu soulfully croons in his brand-new single, “Anyone”.

“Try as I may, sometimes it just feels like I’ll never be truly
understood,” the Singapore-based singer explains in a press statement, adding
that through the song, he was able to dive into his struggles of self-worth,
while navigating through life trying to find a sense of belonging and purpose.

He also wants anyone listening to, well, “Anyone”, to know that no one is
alone.

“However depressing the narrative of the song might seem, my intention with
“Anyone” is to let those who are listening know that no one is alone in this,
that we are all looking for that person, a friend, a lover, who truly
understands us. 

“Beyond wallowing in our self-pity, I hope the acknowledgement of my own
vulnerabilities would provide comfort to those that are fighting their own
demons, because they will know that at least they’re not alone,” Yu remarks.

The song, which is the third single off Yu’s upcoming EP, is now available
online at https://backl.ink/142866194

Fans can also check out the lyric video on Yu’s YouTube channel
(https://www.youtube.com/user/JasonYuuu) once the singer releases it today at
6pm.

Dark Pop songstress Naomi G makes her official debut in the Singaporean music scene with her first single, “Cage the Animal”.

Described as a gothic pop R&B tune, the song chronicles the cycle of abusive and toxic relationships and how to get away from it triumphantly in order to rebuild one’s dignity.

The eclectic newcomer combines the broody minimalism of Lorde and Banks with the chameleonic tendencies of artists like Halsey in this track that begins rather unassumingly with nostalgic, flatlining keyboards and ethereal soundscapes, and evolves into a vindictive anthem that turns emotional scarring and pain into a source of strength.

“Cage the Animal” is now available across various streaming platforms.

Released under indie label, Umami Records, “Cage the Animal” is the lead single off of Naomi G’s upcoming debut EP, which is set to be released in 2021.

Take a listen to the song here https://www.umamirecords.sg/cage-the-animal/ and check out the sensuous music video below!

If you’ve had fun playing with the custom IG filter for “Better” and singing your heart out to “Alone”, you’ll absolutely adore Dominic Chin’s debut EP, “License to Cry”.

The Singaporean pop artiste has finally released the long-awaited album today via Umami Records.

Containing a total of 7 tracks, the EP serves as “an extension” of the 24-year-old singer-songwriter/producer, documenting the early stages of self-discovery in his life.

“It was always difficult for me to verbalise my feelings growing up because I didn’t ever want to give myself away and reveal my vulnerability to others. I feared that they would judge me or find me a burden, and so this album is in a way, me talking about what I didn’t want to talk about,” he said.

“In the process of making the songs, we always made it a point to make the song not sound too much as what it would lyrically seem to be. 

“For example, HERE is a mid-tempo and “springy” type of song, but it talks about me missing my late grandmother. SHY is a high energy EDM song, but it talks about my paranoia and insomnia,” he added, saying that the recording process was therapeutic for him as it allowed him to confront some of the personal traumas in his life.

The EP’s focus track, “Cry”, is an R&B track with a bit of a late 1990s pop vibe that delivers the message it’s OK to cry, even as you’re told to “man up.”

Chin explains, “It’s about being yourself and breaking free of the fear and shame from having to conform to others’ silly expectations and rules.”

The track list for “License to Cry” is as below:
1. SHY
2. HERE
3. CRY
4. AWARE
5. BETTER
6. ALONE
7. CLSE2U

Take a listen to all seven songs right here: https://www.umamirecords.sg/license-to-cry/

Singaporean singer Dominic Chin sure is making fans anticipate his debut EP more and more with the recent release of yet another single off the album.

Called “Alone”, it is the sixth single from his upcoming seven-track EP “License to Cry”.

“The song is about my anxiety order and how it affects all the relationships in my life,” the singer shared in a statement. 

“Finding love and peace with good healthy relationships but feeling tremendously undeserving of it, resulting in me wanting to sabotage the relationship. The song talks about feeling conflicted about my relationships, being totally defeated and yearning for some help while I fight my battles with feeling disorientated by all that is going on in my mind.”

Adding that it is not a song meant to uplift anybody, he clarified, “It’s a song to let people who struggle with anxiety issues like me to know that they are not alone, and that I too struggle with it on a day to day basis and I’m still here.”

To really get the feel of the song, why not sing along to it? Just click play on the official lyrics video below and sing your heart out!

“License to Cry” will be released via Singaporean indie label Umami Records this 9 October.

Following that, Dominic will be making his debut show at the Esplanade Singapore on 26 December 2020, making this Christmas season a truly wonderful time for his fans.