Half the year’s already gone, and June made sure it went out with a bang. As summer rolls in, this month’s music releases are turning up the heat. June delivered everything from late-night anthems to funky ‘80s-inspired pop. Multi-instrumentalist FKJ crafts grooves so effortlessly smooth that they make you feel like you’re levitating. Elsewhere, sad boy sombr switches up the mood, opening up about men’s body image with striking vulnerability. Whether you’re crashing out over an old flame or just want a boogie, these 10 tunes deserve a spot on your playlist.
Born Sitt Paing Htet and known to fans as SamSam, the Thailand-based Burmese sensation broadens his discography with a new English single, “Taste Of You". Dubbed the 'Prince of Myanmar', he bridges his Southeast Asian roots with a Western audience. The track builds on a dark pop soundscape, exploring emotional dependence, unresolved tension, and a lingering romance that should’ve been left in the past. SamSam's bold, expressive vocals add a palpable sense of urgency and raw emotion to every verse, the kind that makes you yearn for someone special as the clock strikes midnight.
French Kiwi Juice, known to fans as FKJ, returns with “Soulmates”, capturing the French singer and producer at his most unrestricted. The single offers a glimpse of his upcoming third album, Tyber, a project written across five countries. It dives into themes of transformation, balance, and personal growth. True to form, FKJ's signature fusion of jazz, soul, funk, electronic, and experimental composition blooms into something rhythmically fluid. And somehow, despite all that genre-hopping, the emotional core never gets lost in translation. FKJ is also coming to Kuala Lumpur on tour this December, so check out the tickets here.
Following the success of Jalen Ngonda’s breakout album, the American musician (based in England) releases yet another, deepening his soulful legacy with Doctrine Of Love. While his first drew heavily on ‘70s Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, his latest wanders further back to '50s New Orleans R&B, with the grit of Chicago and Detroit soul. Ngonda’s vocals carry the album with a Motown sensibility that moves your feet first, and your brain second. The title track offers a fresh look into his timeless songwriting, exploring the universal themes of romance.
Ethan Low returns with another single tailored for those late-night drives. Born and raised in Toronto with Malaysian-Singaporean roots, he draws on artists like Drake and The Weeknd. This track channels the push and pull of falling for someone new, and the tempting notion that you'd treat them better than their current partner does. The dark, atmospheric R&B paired with smooth, velvety vocals captures that sultry, intimate feeling perfectly. After gaining a following on social media and amassing 36 million streams on Spotify, Low just keeps on delivering hits.
I'm sure we've all seen the discourse online. Who is MR. FANTASY, and why does he look so familiar? Believe it or not, he might be the alter ego of Riverdale's KJ Apa. Riding the wave of his viral fame on TikTok, he released his debut album, FANTASYLAND. It captures the artist’s playful silliness with a bombastic pop and a humorous, cool sound. Produced and drummed by French musician Florian Guello, the album leans heavily into retro-futuristic synth-pop, '70s funk and '80s disco, drawing inspiration from icons such as David Bowie and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Signed to the music label KC in 2024, JMIN brings a fresh take on K-hip-hop with a new EP. The lead single, “TOKYO HIGH”, features South Korean rapper HAON, delivering a trap-rap sound with hard-hitting beats. As different artists come together, such as NOWIMYOUNG with his hyperstylised rap and Sik-K with his seamless fusion of rap and R&B, JMIN gets to flex his range across the trap genre and prove he’s more than a one-trick pony. The Korean-American rapper collaborated with artists from the same scene, such as Jay Park, on his debut album.
Originally posted on YouTube in 2024, Tyler, the Creator has finally released “THAT GUY” across streaming platforms. Built from the beat of Kendrick Lamar's “hey now”, the track looks back at his massive year, from concert appearances to his latest hit album CHROMAKOPIA. And of course, it's got that unmistakable Tyler, the Creator energy—eclectic, experimental, and a raw lyrical style. His freestyle references his Hawthorne roots and brushes off speculative industry gossip, projecting a confidence that reminds you exactly why he's “THAT GUY”.
The internet's favourite yearner sombr is back with a single that cuts straight to body image, the root of his insecurity. Known for sad-boy tracks like "Back to Friends", the 20-year-old singer brings the same raw energy and vulnerability to this song, going beyond the typical heartbreak track. The songwriter laments about the weight of low self-esteem, of wanting to disappear rather than put his body out into the world. The music video leans into that narrative too, casting Off Campus’ Josh Heuston as the bully and Obsession’s Inde Navarrette as his love interest.
It is definitely cool when this dynamic duo comes together. After a four-year break, Steve Lacy teases his forthcoming album Oh Yeah?, linking up with fellow American singer-songwriter SZA. The track already has fans buzzing as SZA’s honeyed voice complements Lacy’s hypnotic riffs. Lacy showcases a more vulnerable side, referencing his absentee father's death when he was 10 and his commitment issues when it comes to love. Despite the heavy lyrics, the song blends pop, rap and R&B with a ticking-clock beat to suggest that time is running out in a relationship.
South Korean boy band ATEEZ has released a new EP that is anything but “BAD”. The five tracks feature addictive beats that blend hyper-pop, hip-hop, house and Latin influences, including some Spanish-language lyrics. Continuing the lore of the Golden Hour series, the music video introduces a new entity called Sopro. This evil force jumps between bodies, taking over rising star Chase Infiniti. Impressing fans with their vocals and production, the group powers through with compelling storytelling and intense choreography that will leave you sweating.
Esquire Malaysia
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