MonoloQue, Classmates, Najwa Mahiaddin, Golden Mammoth, Crinkle Cut and more – welcome to Singles Only!

On singles only, we review singles from all across Southeast Asia, from all genres and levels of popularity. These are the songs that are stuck in our heads (for better or for worse).
Our album and EP reviews will now be done separately in their own individual articles.

Follow our Spotify playlist here to keep updated with the scene!

Mogok Tenteram – MonoloQue

MonoloQue’s song is resistance embodied through clean acoustics – much like the ‘peaceful protest’ theme of the lyrics. Mogok Tenteram was featured in Buskers, a film which sought to capture the vibrancy of the Johorean busking scene through the saccharine of a simple love story. In that version the song was sung by the actors, who play in a band called Simfoni Dalam Poke, but it’s still MonoloQue’s version that triumphs – with a guttural twang that makes this song a folks song that straddles the border of a full-on musical ensemble aided by urgent strings. The music video also cheekily alludes to a music industry filled with people who obsess over fame and bluster (and possibly genres that Loque doesn’t really groove to, like the hype-beast ascendancy of new hip hop).

RATING:
4/5

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Akiba Nights – Project Skylate & Sugar Shrill

Two Japanese-influenced electronic producers come together to build this mellow yet groovy track to prod at your senses, especially when cruising through the street on a busy night in the city.

RATING:
3/5

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Violet – Statik

This track is a satisfying journey. Starting off as a soft ballad and slowly evolving into energetic garage rock – Violet keeps us pumped and makes us reminisce of the early ’00s of the days of Meet Uncle Hussain.

RATING:
3.5/5

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Batas Mimpi – Mustache & Beard feat. Noh Salleh

Noh Salleh’s collaboration with this band from Bandung didn’t really receive much traction in the cybersphere, relatively speaking, but is honestly one of the most poetically enchanting song in recent weeks. The lyrics speak of drifting off to the borders of a dreamworld when the physical state of your body is entirely different from what goes on in your head. A folk song true and true, and a pleasant neoromantika track for the dreamers.

RATING:

3/5

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Sentiasa Merinding – Najwa Mahiaddin & Imran Ajmain

Najwa Mahiaddin has always been iconic when it comes to pushing Malay ballads to refreshingly contemporary productions, and this duet with Imran Ajmain is no exception. In fact, Sentiasa Merinding captures both the haunting beauty of amazing ballad lyricism and a modern beat to match. When the charts are laden with bland, over-produced pop ballads, this track definitely stands out above the rest.

RATING:
4.5/5

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Ominous – Golden Mammoth

Jahat describes this song the best. The solos that happen after the 1st minute 30th second mark spiralling into flangers that sound like a freaking psychotropic vacuum adds so much menace to the sound. And it doesn’t stop there. As Syabil comes in with the harmonica the song builds up into a gratuitous journey of resplendent riffs and dream sequences built by pure audio sensations.

RATING:
4/5

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Giliranku – Classmates

Classmates continue with their anthemic pop punk sound in this song Giliranku. The song itself is jam-worthy, and has some pretty cool moments, but overall this is just another middle-of-the-road Classmates track that keeps you pumped but still leaves a lot to be desired.

RATING:
3/5

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The Beast Is In Me – Capt’n Trips and the Kid

Sticking to that Middle-Eastern sound, this Capt’n Trips single is one of the less fuzzier, distorted songs from them. It’s deliciously diabolical and strip down, evoking an almost macabre emotion deep within our souls. As a teaser to what more they have to offer in their upcoming EP, The Beast Is In Me doesn’t really serve much to be excited for – but it’s still a decent tune nonetheless.

RATING:
3.5/5

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Where Are You Now – Crinkle Cut

Where Are You Now is spiritual. It’s wholesome. It has an almost dramatic vibe to it that makes this more than just a simple folk-pop song. This four-piece band also works with some unconventional, quasi-spoken word aura in some of its vocalizations – like a despairing eulogy to a lost garden. The song builds up layers, and transforms into its fullest form as the piano, percussion and vocal harmonies come in to knock this song into the ballpark. Beautiful track.

RATING:
3.5/5

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RCKLSS – Reckless Escapade ft. Shiv

This slick track by Reckless Escapade combines mellow vibes from the beats with bars that flow with tact all across the track. Reckless Escapades probably does not have much when it comes to poetic-acrobatics, but as a rapper/R&B singer, this song just works itself into your psyche. It straddles the line between being the type of banger you would dance to, and as a more introspective song about being misunderstood. Shiv’s portion of this song doubles up on the sharp poppier feeling to the song, filling in the gaps necessary to be filled. It’s also really interesting to see Ian Koren from Throne Away do something different with his musical direction – and succeeding at that.

RATING:
3.5/5

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