6 Underrated Asian Music Artists You Can Vibe To
Looking to update your playlists with some new tunes? Here, we present some of the best Asian acts in the music scene that deserve more love.
With the advent of K-Pop, it’s clear that Asian music has been taking the world again by storm. Music from the West has been dominating audiences globally for a long time but it’s now time to pay more attention to the talent we have closer to home. Perhaps what artists lack here is more widespread support for their work, so why not give these underrated Asian artists a listen?
Joy Alexis
Dare we say the originator of sad sexy? Joy Alexis is a multi-hyphenate from Singapore with a distinct sound, carving out a vibey and sensual genre of their own. Emotional and raw, Joy Alexis’ tunes are a deeply personal journey through their lived experiences as an artist. The recently released single ‘Desire’, created alongside Singaporean producer MYRNE, is an electronic dream fit for the new age. Look forward to ‘Vermillion Shade of Blue’ – Joy Alexis’ upcoming EP – where we’ll hopefully get a closer look into the songwriter’s creative world.
Songs we recommend: ‘Moonlight’, ‘Tonight’, ‘Desire’
EASHA
EASHA is an Indian singer-songwriter based in the United States. The 20-year-old Stanford undergraduate garnered worldwide attention after her hit on TikTok ‘Dying is a Beautiful Thing to Do’. Her melancholic and nostalgic musicality calls out through her tracks. EASHA’s unique perspective of writing through the eyes of the muse, rather than the artist, draws in an audience who grew up captivated by film and its tropes. If you’re feeling introspective, EASHA’s reflective lyricism provides a fresh voice that’s comforting and contemplative all at once.
Songs we recommend: ‘Manic Pixie Dream Girl’, ‘You Make Me Feel’, ‘Two Dimensions’
Inis
‘TOPSYTURVYDOM’ is the latest EP from Inis Sahib, better known as Inis. The Indonesian singer is a musical rebel, to say the least. Her 6-track mini-album is alternative meets electro-rock and represents her response to the current chaotic state of the world. Getting inspiration for tracks from her lucid dreams, Inis’ voice is clear and direct; she’s unafraid of expressing her opinions through her music.
Songs we recommend: ‘Animal’, ‘Mother’, ‘Buskers!’
Sunwich
Hailing from Indonesia, Sunwich is an indie-pop band whose nostalgic sound is a welcome blast from the past. Their latest single ‘The Bended Man’ is upbeat and funky and is reminiscent of pop bands from the ‘80s and ‘90s. The band, comprising Vebrian Elwan on guitars, James Baker on bass and frontman Aliefia Augustine on vocals, takes on a direction that at once looks at the larger things and the simple bouts of happiness in life, while coupled with the curiosity and confusion that comes with adulting.
Songs we recommend: ‘Twenty’, ‘The Bended Man’, ‘confused’
Mỹ Anh
Vietnamese singer Mỹ Anh was born to parents deeply connected to the music industry but she’s been moulding space for her own sound. Deeply influenced by R&B, Mỹ Anh’s 2020 single ‘Got You’ captured the attention of the Vietnamese music scene with its soulful, rhythmic lyrics. Mỹ Anh writes and produces tracks in Vietnamese too, so if you’re looking for something different from your typical English pop, you’ve hit the jackpot – we promise her music will transcend any language barriers.
Songs we recommend: ‘Got You’, ‘Cần Gì Hơn Nữa’, ‘Yên’
Weston Estate
Describing themselves to be “ya aunty’s favourite boyband”, Weston Estate is a five-piece indie band consisting of Marco Gomez, Tanmay Joshi, Abhi Manhass, Srikar Nanduri, and Manas Panchavati, who are all of Indian descent with the exception of Gomez. An almost puppy-love approach to their music, the five best friends’ tonality is a wonderfully dizzying blend of mumble-vocals, wistful lyrics and heavy beats. Coming through in tracks like ‘Outside’, their mellow, funky sound perfectly encapsulates the fleeting moments of youth.
Songs we recommend: ‘Cotton Candy’, ‘Sixty’, ‘Hold On’
