The Steve McQueens releases fifth recording project ‘The Observer’

“…the six-minute odyssey finds the four-piece in familiar territory: Vocalist Eugenia Yip cruises over silky-smooth keys, intuitive basslines and abrupt time signature shifts, which all lead to an infectious coda.” – NME -

The Observer is The Steve McQueens’ 5th studio outing, and shows a mature unit performing at the peak of their 8-year journey together. The characteristic playful inventiveness, musical twists and surprises are all here in spades, and listeners will find it hard not to have that little smile cross their faces at regular intervals.

Released through Singapore-based indie label Umami Records, the mercurial band’s latest album features music performed from their 2020 ‘Nerd Lounge’ tour of Singapore, Japan and Indonesia. 

With the pandemic putting the brakes on to their ‘live’ performance plans, the quartet went into the studio to record this collection of new music which simultaneously evokes alternative R&B, chill-pop, 60’s Motown and nu-soul.

Eve Alai makes quarantine bearable with club anthem “Touch Me”

Electronic producer Eve Alai lights up the virtual dancefloor with bouncy house chords and throbbing percussions on his latest single “Touch Me,” released under Umami Records. Featuring fiery vocals from Z, the infectious raver makes isolation bearable as it delivers another ecstatic shot of energy from start to finish. 

Even with the absence of clubs, “Touch Me” works as a soundtrack to late-night revelry. It’s a techno-inspired bop that underscores the healing power of being confidently sensual and hopeful despite being enveloped into the dark, trying times. 

With influences that range from British electronic producer Chris Lake to Grammy-nominated Australian music producer FISHER, Eve Alai takes “Touch Me” to effervescent places with its glorious serving of after-hours party music.

Asian-American hip-hop artist Blahza collaborates with newcomer Seira on his latest single “GPS”

“The song has a classic mid-2000s crack rap feel like you could play it back-to-back with Nelly‘s ‘Grillz’ and no one would flinch.” - Surviving The Golden Age

Asian-American hip-hop artist Blahza and newcomer Seira have released a new emo-rap single, “GPS.” Reminiscent of Juice WRLD with its chill, spacey touch and laid-back delivery, the vibey bop follows the rapper’s journey to finding his way back to love.

According to Blahza, the song is a reassurance of his loyalty and romantic affection for the love of his life despite having to spend days apart from each other. He shares, “My fiancé notices I’m always on my phone like everybody is these days. But the lyrics symbolize how even without technology I’m not lost.”

Eve Alai and Senara release another brand new single together: ‘For Life’

“Melancholic nu disco meet nu garage vibes lay over a modern house groove, with sultry pop vocal top lines and stabs reigning through. Think of a slowed down two-step remix of a vocal banger from the early two-thousands, this Asian collaboration has done a bit of digging around to carve their sound.” - Mixmag Asia

Singapore producer-songwriter Eve Alai collaborates with Sri Lankan pop artist Senara again on his brand new single ‘For Life’. The second single of his upcoming debut EP, For Life features Eve Alai’s signature blend of deep house and nu disco influences with relatable lyrics carried by Senara’s undeniable voice.


For Life was inspired by the sets of deep house played at nightclubs in Eve Alai’s native Colombo. “The song is catered for the dancefloor. This is what nightlife sounds like in my head. I want my song to move people physically, from a head bop to a full on shuffle”, declares the underrated producer.

Malaysian Lo-fi Producer OnlyM Teams Up With Asian-American Hip-Hop Artist Blahza On ‘Perfect’

Malaysian lo-fi producer OnlyM and Los Angeles-based Asian-American hip-hop artist Blahza have collaborated on a brand new single ‘Perfect,’ released via Singapore-based indie label Umami Records.

‘Perfect’ envelopes the listener in waves of serene melancholic vibes while it laments the pain and struggles of life and love. Perfect for crying yourself to sleep to, the emotional rap tune wistfully recalls memories of young love with fondness and newfound wisdom. Blahza shares in a statement, “This song is inspired by the relationships I had in high school. Love isn’t perfect, and leaving a relationship is okay if both of the people in the relationship are getting hurt in the process. Sometimes it’s actually selfish to stay in a bad relationship.”

Singapore Pop Artist Dominic Chin Releases BETTER via Umami Records

Singapore pop artist Dominic Chin has released BETTER, the fifth single of his 7-track debut EP License To Cry, via indie label Umami Records.

BETTER is a poppy, free-spirited song about the joys of being high on love. Dominic Chin shares: “This song is inspired by love! There’s a quote that says ‘falling in love is the best high without breaking the law’, and I fully agree! The whole chorus talks about how flowers smell better, time passes much slower, the sky is BLUE-ER. How you don’t ever want time to stop when you’re with the person you love.”

Fun, playful melodies accompany Dominic’s beautiful and infectious vocals, leading up to unapologetically brash and compelling choruses which he proudly belts out. “I felt like it needed a quirky aspect too, and that's why I sang ‘You-you-you’ with a slight yodle. AND I love showing off my whistling skills. I have been practicing for years, finally I can properly show it off!” shared Dominic.