Sunday Spin is EnVi‘s weekly music showcase, where we bring you the hottest global hits in our curated playlist. Join us every Sunday for new music that sets the perfect tone for your upcoming week.
Autumn foliage is making its appearance, spreading its warm hues all over. While trees shed their leaves, artists have been dropping new releases to keep your spirits up! Whether you’re turning a new leaf or enjoying a comfy night in, this week’s Sunday Spin has something for you.
H3RIZON – “Arm Candy”
R&B vocals. ‘90s visuals. Harmonies for days. H3RIZON’s newest single “Arm Candy” delivers all these things and more. With or without a man, H3RIZON knows they’re the prize, and “Arm Candy” proves a man is an add-on, not a necessity. In the track, all three women sing about having their sights set on a new guy. They invite the guys to be their plus one in life and someone for them to show off, aka their “Arm Candy.”
The single is exactly what pure R&B is with soul, a steady groove, silky melodies, and just enough sultry romance to have every listener in their feelings. In a press release, H3RIZON explained, “‘Arm Candy’ is us having fun with the phrase because why can’t our men be the arm candy? The song is flirty, cheeky, and very ‘that’s my man!’ When we were recording it in the studio, we decided to flip the narrative and make the phrase our own, playing with that idea of showing off your man and being completely obsessed with someone who makes you feel special.”
“Arm Candy” marks the group’s third single of the year after releasing “Certified Lover Girl” in May and “Future Self” in June. Comprised of Bernie, Gabby, and Tiara, H3RIZON made history earlier this year as the first Australian and first Asian-Pacific girl group to join Epic Records. With singles as great as these, they are sure to make more history in the near future.
Niko Rubio – “all i want is you”
Two weeks ahead of her debut album’s release, Niko Rubio is dropping another hit, but this time it is a surprising, groovy ballad. “All i want is you” is the fourth pre-release single off her upcoming album, late night swim, but it is vastly different from the first three drops. “All i want is you” showcases Rubio’s voice in a new manner with a deep maturity and a troubling heartache. Through the song, the singer processes a relationship ending, even though she wants to hold onto the other person. The track is funky yet heart-wrenching, balancing a wavering focus between the beat and Niko Rubio’s voice.
In her newsletter to fans, Rubio revealed, “I don’t like making ballads, and I hate writing sad songs. I have to really, really, really feel like something is desperately wrong inside me to write a ballad, and in this case I had just gotten dumped, so it felt like the right time to yearn. I didn’t ever think I’d write a song like ‘all i want is you.’ That’s why it’s so special to me.”
HANABIE. – “Bari Bari Buddy”
Tokyo’s rock sensation HANABIE. is back with the latest release of “Bari Bari Buddy” for the upcoming series Reincarnated as a Sword II. Serving as the ending theme song for the series, the track blends different aspects of rock into one while keeping the familiar touch of who HANABIE. is. From Yukina’s fry screams, which bring a raspy, distorted touch to the track, to the death growls that bounce back and forth between the members, the song showcases the band’s signature sound. Aimed at following the story of the anime, the track is about going on adventures with new friends and knowing you can count on them through even the wildest journeys.
In a press release, the band mentioned, “The chorus is something everyone can sing along to, so I hope you’ll join us and get hyped together. And through this series, I hope we can all become totally badass Buddies!” Written by vocalist Yukina and guitarist/vocalist Matsuri, the track is the perfect way to start the fall! As the band gets ready for their upcoming album UNAMI, out on December 2, fans can look forward to what’s next while listening to “Bari Bari Buddy.”
KATSEYE – “Unloveu”
Three EPs deep, and KATSEYE have yet to solidify their signature sound. However, they also finally unleashed a secret weapon: “Unloveu,” a track previously exclusive to the Target version of their latest EP WILD that finally gets its public release. This song harkens back to the vocal-heavy days of “My Way.” The five members (minus Manon, who’s still on an unexplained hiatus) flex their melismatic, vocal chops over a distinctive production style mimicking that of 2010s power ballads.
Penned by member Lara Raj, “Unloveu” unpacks the emotional baggage left from a toxic relationship where tissues were scattered on the floor, yelling and slamming doors, and his projections latched on. But as the song says, “time did its shit, and finally it hit, I do ‘unlove’ you.” The surprise midweek drop came alongside a black-and-white visualizer that’s simple, alternating between a stark interior with all-glass walls and a brutalist exterior, an architectural manifestation of the headspace sung about in the lyrics.
Salasa – “Sobaniite”
It seems Tokyo keeps updating our weekly playlists, and singer-songwriter Salasa is back with her latest release, “Sobaniite.” A mix of R&B and jazz, the track highlights Salasa’s vocals, pairing the pop of looping keyboards and bass with a story of finding comfort in a significant other amid everyday life. Exploring vulnerability and connection with a partner, the track evokes the imagery of the “bittersweet stillness of leaves slowly turning in autumn.”
The first single following her EP “Live Bluesy”, “Sobaniite” marks Salasa’s return to the road as she invites listeners into a new world of blues. With her international presence growing and tours taking her across Asia, Salasa welcomes winter in the warmest way possible with “Sobaniite.”
MC Abdul – “Is It Real? (Part 1)”
After five years of releasing music and at only 17 years old, MC Abdul has released his debut album Day by Day, Shway Shway. In July, MC Abdul released the single “Shway Shway,” with the album’s eventual title as a key repeated phrase throughout the track. The phrase translates to “day by day” or “take it easy,” an important mantra in MC Abdul’s life. The album as a whole is a collection of healing and reflection as MC Abdul walks the listener through his life after leaving Palestine and traveling to California.
The album starts with the song “Is It Real? (Part 1),” which is followed by a part two and three later in the piece. The track is a slow rap, almost spoken as spoken-word poetry, with plot woven through the whole song. “Is It Real? (Part 1)” moves through MC Abdul writing his feelings to understand what he’s been through, to being interrogated as soon as his plane landed in America. The entirety of the song is a question of reality when his life is moving too fast to hold onto, but it’s only the intro to a deeply moving album. Day by Day, Shway Shway is a monumental piece in MC Abdul’s discography, and it’s a promise that there is more to come.
Da-iCE – “うららか (Uraraka)”
A slowly developing relationship is worth the wait according to Da-iCE. Their new single, “うららか (Uraraka)” maintains that true love lasts more than hundreds of years. Written for the sequel of Japanese TV series, “A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You,” the song frames love as a simple but serene landscape. The show’s main characters, Natsumi Sekiya and Takimasa Ebata are brought together by arranged marriage. Though the pair initially find themselves struggling to communicate, they gradually learn how to show their affection. Despite being set in 1936, their love is shown to be timeless as their respective hearts care for one another.
From the ensemble of strings and piano, each instrument adds to the song’s sweet tone. As bells ring, Da-iCE makes promises akin to wedding vows to their lovers. Rather than grand actions, the group finds the small joys in anything they do with their partners. In sickness and health, across time and distance, Da-iCE shows how love will endure.
SANTA – “Chinese beauty girl”
How many renowned dancers can you think of that have ventured into city pop? Add SANTA to the top of that list, with his new single, “Chinese beauty girl.” SANTA goes against expectations given his dancing background. Rather than a fast track with intense choreography, SANTA showcases the power of emotion through his voice. The song’s slow instrumental and funky guitar complement SANTA’s raspy vocals. With intimate lyrics, listeners are invited into the slow dance of romance.
While the song centers a beautiful Chinese woman, SANTA sings in Japanese, crossing cultural and linguistic borders. As he seeks to prove through “Chinese beauty girl,” love turns a blind eye to labels and hones in on the qualities of a partner. While beauty may be what catches SANTA’s eye first, getting to know a person is what he truly treasures. If you need a reminder that love follows beyond a first glance, take a chance on “Chinese beauty girl.”
Lyodra – “Pintu Hati”
Healing from a breakup is an emotional process, and time is needed to rebuild one’s confidence. In her latest album, Terkunci di Kamu, Lyodra tells the story of her journey through love and heartbreak. The album opens with a quiet longing in “Harpan Semu,” which later rises alongside Lyodra voicing her hurt and anger. Still, she learns to find her own peace and open her heart to romance again. Her collaborative track with Bilal Indrajaya, “Bersamamu,” shifts the emotional tone of the album. While her wounds still heal, Lyodra has found someone she can rely on and brings her joy back.
As the penultimate track, “Pintu Hati,” brings the album’s story to a hopeful close. An upbeat jazz fusion instrumental creates a sweet and affectionate mood for this tune. Lyodra’s vocal tone is airy and playful, matching her smile as she dances around the room in the music video. Her joy is audible, as she jokes with her lover, “Don’t blame me for falling in love with you and only you!”
SUNG HANBIN – “UNDEAD”
Not every phoenix rises gracefully from the ashes. Still, HANBIN shows that the act of resilience is beautiful in its own right. Known as the leader of ZEROBASEONE, HANBIN returns to the music scene with his solo album debut, DEAD:ALIVE. Based on the theme of death and rebirth, HANBIN unveils a new and darker side to his performance. As he draws from rock influence within the album, the title track “UNDEAD,” culminates in the most intense sound and message. Opening with choreography featuring his signature tutting, HANBIN is initially bright-eyed and dressed in white. He’s quickly struck down and hurt, and is shown to face multiple deaths within the music video.
While HANBIN grows visibly beaten, his resolve remains focused. His goal? To gain recognition as an artist, shown as he tries to climb a skyscraper with no visible end. HANBIN bounces back against critics as he proclaims, “Through the fire / I embrace you, sharp and harsh as you are.” As he rises, time and time again, HANBIN is accompanied by roses. A symbol of beauty and pain, the thorns are welcomed into his embrace. Even as he dons broken wings, HANBIN continues his ascension to the top. “Break me completely, and I’ll bloom,” he challenges, unafraid of what lies in the future.
Other tracks in this week’s Sunday Spin playlist include “MEANT TO BE” by Tiffany Day and glaive, Ado’s “Raven Sky,” “Star” by Leyla Ebrahimi, and Rachel Chinouriri’s “Pretty girls,” Listen to everything mentioned and more, curated by Team EnVi only for you on Spotify.
Want more of the latest releases? Check out our previous Sunday Spin!
