It’s been said that having an inner monologue can help regulate your emotions, nurture self-awareness and build a healthy appreciation of the world and your place in it—all the signs of good living. But the question remains: are you really living if there’s no soundtrack to back things up?
Can you imagine what The Lord of the Rings film trilogy would be like without the expert touch of composer Howard Shore? Perish the thought.
The genre hardly matters. After all, music is art, and art is subjective. What does matter is how it makes you feel—how it inspires your daily living and pushes you to embrace creative self-expression in all the ways that are quintessentially you. That being said, there are quite a few genres out there that are floating across the technological ether. We wouldn’t blame you for not being able to keep up.
Avant-garde pop and progressive heavy metal. ‘90s hip-hop and 00’s pop-punk. Ambient, instrumental, classical and everything in between. Even more niche subgenres like shoegaze and midwest emo.
Each suite of monthly music sees new and returning artists delving into these disparate genres, and March is no exception. It’s hard to recall a month in recent memory that’s been packed with so many excellent releases in the alternative scene.
In War Child Records’s second charity album, nothing was left to chance. Legends from every generation of alternative and indie music grace the feature list—including the likes of Depeche Mode, Foals and Black Country, New Road—in order to support the plight of children living through war. On a lighter note, Robyn’s first solo record in eight years offers plenty for those looking to get down on the dance floor (and quite possibly shed a tear or two). It’s safe to say: she hasn’t lost a step. Or for listeners interested in a different, but no less impactful, kind of emotional journey, sit back and soak up the R&B vocals of the ever-sultry James Blake.
Off the beaten path lies Redhair Rosy, just two years into their career and already producing heart-wrenching Japanese rock music; emo and pop-punk darlings Tigers Jaw, who have released their most mature record to date; the debut solo jazz album from Red Hot Chili Peppers’s frenetic bassist, Flea; and new hip-hop supergroup The Scythe, led by the irresistible Denzel Curry, who pull no punches in their lyrical swagger.
Read about all of this and more below, in the March edition of Vogue Singapore’s monthly music roundup.
1 / 10
Written Into Changes by Avalon Emerson & the Charm
As Thundercat would say: them changes. Avalon Emerson’s DJ chops are well-known in the world of electronic music, from Berghain to Coachella and back. However, with the release of her newest record, she’s continuing her own spin on the formula popularised by artists like Hatchie, Sjowgren and Shura. It’s dreampop delight, through and through, and a welcome addition to her growing discography.
Listen to Written into Changes here.
2 / 10
Lost on You by Tigers Jaw
The Scranton five-piece are a shining star in the current slate of fourth wave emo acts. Their sound is all the heart-wrenching nostalgia of Midwest emo blanketed by indie rock jangle, fronted by twin vocalists Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins. Together, they form a special kind of emotional symbiosis, the perfect vehicle for all your dormant teenage angst. This latest release is a timely evolution of their discography—mature and self-assured, without ever losing sight of their raw, punk roots.
Listen to Lost on You here.
3 / 10
Honora by Flea
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been a household name for decades. Their bassist Flea, so named for his inability to sit still, is harnessing all his considerable energy and talent towards carving out a wholly different kind of sound, one far removed from the territory the Chili Peppers have staked their claim on for decades. Of course, there is plenty of bass in the mix. This time, though, the funky virtuosity is grounded in minimalist jazz, with Flea’s trumpet and vocal chops on proud display.
Listen to Honora here.
4 / 10
Sexistential by Robyn
Age is just a number, and the Swedish queen of dance pop is here to show you why. Eight years after her last album, 2018’s Honey, her aura remains utterly transcendent, her trademark blend of upbeat production and memorable lyrics proving that she’s still got it at 46. Robyn’s voice continues to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, and we dare you not to be inspired by her unabashed embrace of life—in all its beautiful melancholy and hilarious absurdity.
Listen to Sexistential here.
5 / 10
Help(2) by Various Artists
Hopefully this gets your attention: a veritable who’s-who of music legends have graced War Child Records’ latest charity album. The release points the work of its utterly star-studded talent towards raising awareness for children living in conflict around the world. Each name in the roster is an eye raiser, from the godfathers of electronic rock like Depeche Mode and Beth Gibbons (of Portishead); to the indie forerunners like Arctic Monkeys and Foals; to those pioneering uncharted territories today like Black Country, New Road, and English Teacher.
Listen to Help(2) here.
6 / 10
Trying Times by James Blake
The British crooner is back, delivering sexy, sonic ecstasy in all the ways you’d expect. This time, things are a little more sparse, a little more stripped back. In some ways, it feels like a homecoming. While the spirit of his eponymous 2011 album is channeled here with tracks like ‘Death of Love’, the rest of this release captures his musical growth with a steady touch. In addition to holy ballads and stately arrangements, it most certainly wouldn’t be a James Blake record without some quintessentially quiet bangers threaded throughout.
Listen to Trying Times here.
7 / 10
Ricochet by Snail Mail
Tasteful guitar hooks with just the right hit of dreamy production, all backed by raw vocals that exude vulnerability. Snail Mail’s first full release in five years sees the indie rocker return to her sound without skipping a beat, with lyrics that are about as moving as they get for the soul-searching listener in 2026. And yet, the musical arrangements, as always, signal some kind of hope, enough to make you think that perhaps there might be a silver lining to your heartbreak.
Listen to Ricochet here.
8 / 10
Turn Red III by Redhair Rosy
As soon as the piano keys arppegiate in the opening song, it’s clear: Japan’s done it again. This time, it’s through the genius of a young six-piece band invoking electronically shifted drum tracks and tasteful auto-tune—modern rock for modern times. Nostalgia or longing, for a life or love that ‘could have been’ seems baked into the country’s musical DNA, with artists like Hitsujibungaku, RADWIMPS, and Redhair Rosy stepping up and carrying that torch with pride.
Listen to Turn Red III here.
9 / 10
Afterlife by Flawed Mangoes
Evan Lo plies an ear for music composition that is mighty, even if his work hails from the homely comfort of his bedroom. His latest as the musician Flawed Mangoes is a 13-track delight, featuring melancholic guitar compositions, frenetic instrumental arrangements and the occasional vocal performance. From start to finish, Lo’s craft will make your heart yearn and soar for all good reasons—even the ones you didn’t know existed to begin with.
Listen to Afterlife here.
10 / 10
Strictly 4 The Scythe by The Scythe / Denzel Curry
The crown prince of southern Soundcloud rap has been featured on a track by the most popular hardcore band in the world, Knocked Loose; accompanied Deftones on their 2026 UK and European tour; and is responsible for the best cover of Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Bulls on Parade’ to date. However, his work as de facto leader of the new hip-hop supergroup The Scythe isn’t breaking new ground. And that’s a good thing. It’s bangers all the way down, every member of the posse hungry to make their voice heard (in this regard, TiaCorine might just come out on top). In any case, we’re just happy to be along for the ride.
Listen to Strictly 4 The Scythe here.
