Dinah Nordin

Loneliness is a source of strength for Louis Quek. The local electronic music producer, better known as Intriguant, plumbs the depths of his solitude to use as fuel for his debut album Recluse. It’s an appropriate title: the ten-track record is composed of textural soundscapes and ambient beats that envelop a solo voice, as though to stress the isolation. Quek tells us more. How would you describe your music? I would say it’s more of experimental beat or even downtempo with a pinch of soul and hip hop. It’s up to different individuals on how they categorise electronic music. It’s a really wide genre. Tell us more about the creative process behind Recluse. It started very negatively, because at that point of time, I had just gotten out of a relationship – it ended badly. So I wanted to embrace loneliness and pain, and channel them into something more positive. I came up with the whole idea of being a recluse, which actually wasn’t a bad thing. The whole album is a reflection of the things that happened to me in a span of two years. It was also mastered in Los Angeles at Cosmic Zoo studio, a private space for the LA community of beat makers, producers and rappers.  Was the approach different from Ellipse EP? Very. I wanted to make a more upbeat and heavier album. There’s still the element of ‘chill’ in it, but it’s a bit more rhythmic. Recluse features singers, too, which gives another perspective. I call it ‘emotive grooves’. Since the release of Ellipse in 2014, you've perfor

As if Jalan Besar isn’t already swamped with cafés, VXX Cooperative – a combination of the Roman numerals for five and 20 – is the latest to join the ’hood. And it’s probably one of the few ‘Muslim-friendly’ joints in the area. While not certified Halal, co-owner Aslam Yusoff claims the café only uses Halal ingredients. On to the food, VXX incorporates its own spin on all your café standard fare. So instead of pairing eggs Benedict with salmon or ham, smoked duck makes an appearance alongside homemade shallot hotcake and hollandaise sauce ($17). For a meatier meal, go for the pulled beef bowl ($17): it stars tender braised beef brisket, lemon brown butter sauce, baby potatoes and wild rocket. Feeling spontaneous? Try the Staff Meal, which is kinda like VXX’s take on omakase – it’s completely up to the chef. The menu changes every three to four months, so you can look forward to a new experience each time. And don’t forget to stop for a cuppa. VXX Cooperative carefully curates beans from a clutch of internationally renowned roasters. Sip on some Joe from Malaysia’s Cloud Catcher, Norway’s Tim Wendelboe, Sweden’s Koppi and, for something closer to home, Singapore’s very own Nylon Coffee Roasters. 

It’s pretty clear that the electronic music scene in Singapore is on a high, and new kid on the block Jasmine Sokko is one artist to look out for. After the release of her infectious debut single ‘1057’, the musician returns with a new EP, 1057 Remix. Featuring the works of local producers Perk Pietrek, Brannlum and ARNT alongside Malaysian DJ/producer Cuurley, each track injects a refreshing take on the tune. 'Progressive house' is how Cuurley described his remix, while Sokko's unique vocals take centre-stage in Pietrek's.  Listen to the remixes below: Watch the music video of ‘1057’:

While Singapore keeps dreaming of a white Christmas that will never arrive (Snow City doesn't count), local record label Middle Class Cigars has dropped a compilation album for the season. The aptly titled A City Without Snow features nine homegrown musicians putting their spin on traditional carols and yuletide standards, with a few even penning originals themed around the holidays. Oh, and did we mention it's available as a limited edition cassette? Sounds like the perfect gift for the music lover. These aren't the tunes you're sick of hearing in shopping malls. A City Without Snow hops from shoegaze to twee to electronic, with acts such as Pleasantry, The Analog Girl and Intriguant on the line-up. 'A Song to Sleep to', a lullaby-like original by Ferry, opens the album with its lush soundscape, while singer-songwriter Linus Hablot's take on 'Silent Night' ends it on a haunting note. And if you're into the good ol' classics, Pleasantry's dream pop version of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' will make you want to have a hot mug of cocoa while pretending that it's snowing outside. Time to add some fresh tunes to the Christmas party playlist – sample the songs on the YouTube video below. ‘A City Without Snow’ is now available on 50 limited edition cassette tapes and digital download here.