March Music Recommendations by NTU Students (Local Edition)

Written by: Claire Goh

Ed Sheeran, Lauv, Troye Sivan, The 1975.

I’m sure some of us are familiar with the discography of any of these internationally acclaimed artistes. And I bet you or someone you know would be going for their upcoming concerts in Singapore!

However, mention local artistes M1LDL1FE, Jasmine Sokko, or Disco Hue to your friends and you might receive quizzical stares. I would be clueless too, if not for my friend’s recommendation of The Sam Willows’ eponymous debut album back in 2012, which introduced me to the local music scene.

Charlie Lim

Local music, defined as “any genre of music composed or performed by musicians who are Singapore citizens or permanent residents”, encompasses many genres like pop, electronica, folk rock, alternative R&B, and rap. Many artists, bands, producers and singer-songwriters have become household names in Singapore, such as Charlie Lim – who sang last year’s National Day Parade theme song entitled “We Are Singapore 2018”.

Recently, we asked NTU students what home-grown* music they listen to. We have since collated 31 students’ responses for the 30-day song challenge (+1 in case of 31 days). Since the challenge’s inception in 2011, it has been featured on countless Instagram stories where people post a song according to each day’s theme for 30 (or 31) days straight.

Here’s our local twist on the challenge for the month of March! May these tunes accompany you whether you are getting ready to head out, on your commute to school, and studying for your mid-terms. If you have never listened to local music before, we hope this will bring you on a journey of exploration into the thriving local music scene.

*We have asked students to cite English local songs for U-Insight’s readers.

Day 1:#0000FF by Jasmine Sokko

I like how the colour theme in the lyrics matches the vibe of the melody. Plus it’s interesting that she uses the hex code of blue instead of its name in the title (like most of her other songs!)

– Tan Nai Lun

Day 2: JU1Y by Gentle Bones

His voice is very unique and I always thought JU1Y was an interesting way to write JULY.

– Venice Phang

Gentle Bones

Day 3: Cosmic Realignment by Subsonic Eye

It just channels good vibes for me and that is what summer is about.

– Ivan Kwee

Day 4: Alpine by Linying

Come on here, why’d you come so near

Was it furious fire, was I the only one here

– Denise Khng

Linying

Day 5: Settle Down by Gentle Bones

It just sounds nice!

– Tan Tong

Day 6: Red Lights by P_NEDA

Chill, catchy rhythm and beats that make me wanna dance!

– Lim Ji Ah

Day 7: Take Heart by The Sam Willows

I was driving when I heard this song and have liked it ever since.

– Harmith Singh

The Sam Willows

Day 8: Authority by Of Methodist

This song is my drug; I don’t need actual drugs.

– Brandon Tan

Day 9: Mustafa by Yung Raja

The song lyrics are funny and it has a feel good factor.

– Sonia-Ann Thomas

Yung Raja

Day 10: Your Princess Is… by Xingfoo&Roy

I discovered this song during a very difficult time in my life and it makes me sad now thinking about how much i used to be able to relate to the lyrics.

– Kristian Pineda

Day 11: Liar by Gentle Bones

It’s a soothing song to hear.

– Quek Jia Jun

Day 12: How’s Life by The Observatory

I heard this melancholic tune on the radio in primary school and the lyrics “Do we ever grow up?” still strikes a chord with me today.

– Nicholas Oh

Day 13: Fried Rice Paradise by Dick Lee

I would croon this particular lyric to my future girlfriend: “YOU’RE MY CHAO FAN BABY, NICE HOT CHAO FAN BABY.

(“Chao Fan” means fried rice in Chinese)

– Hariz Lee

Day 14: Right Here Right Now by Joie Tan

It reminds us of the simple pleasures that makes life wonderful.

– Ka Xin Yi

Joie Tan

Day 15: Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Tina

Tina manages to bring emotional depth to this Frankie Valli original.

– Anthea Chua

Day 16: Mr Rainbow by The Quests

I discovered a vinyl by The Quests at a local flea market. I was told that this song was apparently a classic favourite in the ‘60s. I was sold. (literally and metaphorically)

– Bryce Benjamin

Day 17: Thinkin Bout Love by Nathan Hartono

A song about love, sung with my loved one, will be absolutely lovely.

– Reena Mehra

Nathan Hartono

Day 18: The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act II: Scene, The Palace of Sweets

My obsession with sweets probably stemmed from 1998 when my pregnant mother played this song one too many times.

– Ariel Tay

Day 19: juvenile by .gif

Life is hard sometimes.

– Pang Hao Cher

Day 20: Distraction by M1LDL1FE

This song makes me reminisce over my good ol’ polytechnic days…and the lyrics “We’re made from the same dust, like stars from the same dusk” hits me everytime.

– Theo Ng

M1LDL1FE

Day 21: Frank Ocean Song by LEW

I’m a sucker for acoustic guitar whimsical male-voice love songs and Frank Ocean’s name is in the song title.

– Ryan Chua

Day 22: Can’t Be Mine by Disco Hue

The beat and lyrics motivate me all the time when I am feeling down as it is really upbeat.

– Jaime See

Day 23: B4NGER by Gentle Bones

It’s very catchy and has happy vibes so I think everyone should listen because it can put them in a good mood.

– Lu Zhuoyi

Day 24: 2014 by Plainsunset

The band disbanded…which I’m terribly upset about as their music is so good!

– Leon Lee

Day 25: In the Good Old Summertime by Susan Lim & The Crescendos

Summer of ‘65, I met Bobby on the boardwalk, we were 17, and this song plays when we walked into a yacht club party.

– Joanne Koh

Susan Lim & The Crescendos

Day 26: Be My Ocean by Gentle Bones

It’s a very chill song, the lyrics are really sweet and I like his voice!

– Acacia Wu

Day 27: Broken by Sezairi Sezali

His voice carries the emotions very well.

– Soh Zi Yuan

Sezairi Sezali

Day 28: Last Day by Subsonic Eye

I like how it sounds because of how the artist sang the song.

– Benecia Voon

Day 29: As Tears Go By by Naomi & The Boys

This song inspired me to sing when I was a child because of the lyrics “My riches can’t buy everything, I want to hear the children sing”. Legit.

– Veronica Yap

Naomi & The Boys

Day 30: JULY by theodora

The lyrics really represent what was going through my mind when I ended things with the guy I was dating, and it ended in July…plus her voice is great!

– Belva Loke

Day 31: Okay (feat. Darren Ashley) by Talitha.

A reminder that everything is going to be okay no matter what struggles you face now.

– Julian Lee

U-Insight hopes you can take these songs with you as we move into March together, and that they bring additional colour into your vibrant school life!

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