Get your earphones ready because August’s playlist is giving us plenty of reasons to hit repeat. Rex Orange County and Daniel Caesar join forces once again. Over in South Korea, two boy bands are also making comebacks. And we can’t forget what’s happening closer to home. Rapper Adam Imanullah drops a new album that brings together several of his recent singles, while The Peachskins frontman Rafique Ramleh steps into a new identity of his own. Consider these your soundtrack for the month, or more importantly, your excuse to tune out the office noise.
Teaming up with rapper Flo Milli and producer ATL Jacob, the Japanese boy band turns up the energy with a slick hip-hop cut that’s equal parts cool, confident and unapologetically cocky. This single acts as a sneak peek at their forthcoming EP WATCH ME. And yes, Gotham’s billionaire playboy has something to do with it. The track borrows the secret identity as shorthand for luxury, confidence and duality. It fits the darker, more hip-hop sound the group wanted. The next time you press play, consider it your cue to channel some billionaire energy.
Adam Imanullah’s latest album has diamonds in the title and plenty of local talent in its tracklist. Known for his impressive rap skills, the 28-year-old artist has plenty of room to show them off across the 13-track album. It also brings together local names including Airliftz, Sxph, SYA and ASYRAF NASIR. There’s something appropriately flashy about an album called DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, but Adam keeps it rooted in his own sound rather than going full James Bond villain. If you’re after a fresh Malaysian hip-hop gem to add to your queue, this album is one you should check out.
Stray Kids is running it back with a new mini album. Led by the group’s producing unit 3RACHA (Changbin, Bang Chan and HAN), the eight tracks make for an eclectic mix of catchy melodies and hard-hitting anthems. The title track leans into the idea of moving freely between different choices, with the group declaring that they can confidently take on whatever they want. Why pick one when you can have it all? The rest of the mini album moves from the acoustic hip-hop of “Way Out” to the nostalgic band sound of “Back Then”. Once again, the South Korean boy band proves that they know exactly how to keep the fans on their toes.
Role Model steps away from his usual indie-pop lane into something looser and a little more nostalgic. His third studio album introduces Chuck Timely, the fictional, time-travelling musician and alter ego at the heart of the project. The record sets the mood with a playful mix of old-school country and soft-rock. Think lovesick songwriting with a vintage filter, the kind of music that should be playing from an old stereo. It’s a charming new chapter for the singer-songwriter, and proof that sometimes all it takes is a new perspective to make an old sound feel brand new.
Formerly of DAY6, eaJ continues to carve out his own space as a solo artist with a new single that wears its emotions on its sleeve. The track moves through an unpredictable beat anchored by a warm bassline, while Jae Park’s delivery gives the song its introspective edge. He reflects on personal experiences, following his struggles and growth over the past year. The lyrics offer a glimpse into that journey, touching on shame, self-reflection and the support of someone who helps him feel like himself again.
The British neo-soul band are now officially a three-piece, with longtime collaborator Lydia Kitto joining J Lloyd and Tom McFarland as a full member. And yes, their fifth studio album sounds exactly like its name suggests, warm, soulful and effortlessly groovy. It has the familiar Jungle magic that makes you move even when you’re just sitting at a desk. It’s bright without being annoyingly cheerful, which is harder to pull off than it sounds. Some heartache hides behind it all, with the record balancing positivity against life's messier parts.
Rex Orange County and Daniel Caesar reunite on a soulful single. Last year, the pair teamed up on “Rearrange My World / There’s a Field (That’s Only Yours)”, so these two collaborators are back in business together. The song taps into that painfully relatable space between knowing what you feel and having absolutely no clue what to do about it. The British singer-songwriter keeps things tender and understated, while Caesar brings his silky R&B touch. If overthinking were an Olympic sport, “Indecision” would be the walk-on music for a full-blown emotional crisis.
NCTzens, get your lightsticks ready! After a long hiatus, the Seoul-based NCT unit is back with a new album. Despite missing some members due to military duties, the group delivers a title track filled with distorted synths, heavy drums and their signature “neo” swagger. Marking their 10th anniversary, the album reflects on the group's decade together while returning to their musical roots. There’s nostalgia here, of course, but plenty of forward momentum too. For long-time fans, this is their way of saying that the Neos definitely have your back.
The frontman of Peachskins, Rafique Ramleh, is back with a new moniker of his own: Kindaraf. “Bodycount” marks his solo debut, co-produced by Yaashdev Sasidharan (AKA godmode), alongside Justin Ang. The track moves with a slick, modern pulse, while Raf’s sultry vocals work their way into your ears. The style, to be fair, suits the song. Its lyrics tap into the pettiness of post-relationship drama and the insecurities that come with it, resulting in a confident, cocky Raf. Just because you’re hopeless doesn’t mean you have to be hoeless.
Majid Jordan takes the scenic route with the title track from their latest album. The Toronto duo have always turned late-night feelings into sleek R&B music, and this song keeps that tradition going. It sits on the dreamier end of their catalogue, stripping things back and letting their vocals do most of the heavy lifting. The title works for a reason, reflecting the two creatives—Majid Al Maskati and Jordan Ullman—and what brings them together to make music. For a group that has spent more than a decade making music about love, distance and everything in between, they make getting lost sound pretty good.
Esquire Malaysia
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