Summer break is finally here, and July’s playlist is growing faster than our attention spans—from iconic artists stretching beyond their usual sound to songwriting that makes you stop and think. The Strokes are giving autotune a serious workout, while Daniel Seavey is officially done saying yes to everything. Asian artists are having their moment too, with Indonesian singer-songwriter Jordan Susanto making his return with a second album and Thai singer SVRN discovering that maybe hope has a darker side after all. Here are 10 tracks to add to your summer rotation.
SEVENTEEN members’ Vernon and The8 make their debut as V8. As the South Korean boy band gradually begins its enlistment period, the latest duo unit channels freedom, youth, and just enough chaos in its debut project. The title track “singasong” sets the tone from the very first beat. It wastes no time pulling listeners in, stuttering and snapping into rhythm without warning. Drawing inspiration from Berlin’s underground club scene and the glitchy pulse of YEEDM, V8 blends club energy with hyperpop influences to create something that feels refreshing within the often cookie-cutter realm of K-pop. With its relentless EDM edge and experimental production, V8 is the kind of project that pulls you into its world from the get-go.
This one’s for all the loverboys out there. sunkis makes his comeback with “Pretty Eyes”, proving that yearning is still alive and well. The rising Chinese-American pop singer captures the feeling of love at first sight and bottles it into a smooth contemporary R&B tune. Produced by J. White, the track samples Troop’s 1989 classic “All I Do Is Think of You”. British girl group FLO perfectly caps off the song with smooth vocals, bringing out feelings of ache and longing into something you can actually feel. If you want to see the R&B trio, catch them in KL on 27 August.
Help us help you rediscover Daniel Seavey. The former Why Don’t We member returns with a new solo EP, showcasing his most vulnerable work yet. After years of being the yes-man, Seavey turns inward across four tracks, unpacking what it means to choose authenticity and self-preservation over people-pleasing. Expect soaring melodies, live instrumentation, and lyrics that are just too relatable. With tracks such as “Time to Time (Annie)” and “Love’s a Gun”, the singer-songwriter proves that the emotional pull that made fans connect is still very much in play.
SVRN (pronounced sovereign) continues his rise across Asia with a single that explores the blurred lines between ambition and obsession. His latest cinematic pop release pairs sweeping strings with emotionally charged lyricism, transforming a deeply personal struggle into an irresistible listen. Introspective yet grand in scale, the track balances vulnerability and emotional clarity, capturing the difficulty of chasing success. Fresh off his appearance at the 2026 Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan, the Thai singer continues to transcend cultures and borders.
Nine years on from his double album FUTURE and HNDRXX, Future returns with another project that revisits the duality that has defined his career. Whether he’s Pluto, Hndrxx or simply Future, the Atlanta rapper has long mastered the art of soundtracking the summer with hip-hop hits. While this latest record feels like an attempt to strip those personas back sonically, it rarely strays from the trap blueprint he perfected. The fascination lies in watching him wrestle between the man, the myth, and the legend he has built for himself. If this is indeed “the real me”, it might be his most self-aware project yet, even if the answers are muddy. Then again, that has always been part of Future’s appeal. We don’t turn to him for introspection. We turn to him for the 808s.
Jack Gohr makes his debut with “好多话”, a reflective ballad built around all the things left unsaid. The track captures that complicated feeling of wanting to reach out, but finding your words frozen in place. Rather than a dramatic plea for reconciliation, Gohr’s regrets, apologies and explanations remain trapped in his head. The repeated tension between having so much to say and being unable to say it becomes the song’s emotional centre. Through gentle melodies, Gohr paints the end of a relationship where closure doesn’t come from a final conversation. Sometimes, there's just silence.
Often working behind the scenes as a songwriter and composer, Malaysian artist Justseow steps into the spotlight with a late-night confession wrapped into smooth bedroom pop. The song captures the frustration of missing someone you should have moved on from. There’s that sense of longing throughout, carried by a vocal delivery that recalls the intimacy of Canadian R&B duo Majid Jordan. Rather than leaning into heartbreak’s dramatic moments, Justseow focuses on the quieter aftermath, where memories linger, and emotions resurface alone at night.
Indonesian singer-songwriter Jordan Susanto returns with a second album that looks beyond the usual notions of love and connection. Anchored by its title track, the record explores the many forms affection can take, from romantic relationships and friendships to self-acceptance. Drawing from soul, funk and R&B references, Susanto blends classic songwriting sensibilities with a modern production that feels nostalgic yet modern. Created alongside his touring band The Soul & Rollers, their signature sound is sharpened by years of performing side by side.
The adults are talking, and this time, The Strokes are stepping further away from their usual comfort zone. The American rock band returns with a seventh studio album embracing heavy auto-tune, layered synths, and electronic textures. It’s an unexpected listening experience, pushing the band into unfamiliar territory while retaining the sound that made them iconic. At the centre of it all, Julian Casablancas’ unmistakable charm remains intact, with his clever lyricism weaving through themes of personal reflection, social commentary and everything in between.
Grab your cowboy hats! The American country singer continues to expand the genre with a modern sound. Shaboozey’s latest single for his forthcoming album blends two generations of Americana. Featuring Leon Bridges, “Burn It Down” trades the high-energy of Shaboozey’s usual hits for a darker tone. The full 20-track album carries the country twang the artist has become known for, while leaning into the cinematic charm of an old-school Western. Think snakes in your boots and a gun holstered on your hip—the perfect soundtrack for a Wild West showdown.
Esquire Malaysia
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