Sunday Spin: New Releases From Thuy, CHANYEOL, Manica, and Wasia Project
Sunday Spin is EnVi‘s weekly new 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.
Welcome to the first Sunday of September — you know what that means! Team EnVi is back with another Sunday Spin, bringing you the freshest tracks to jumpstart your month. Get ready to dive into the latest sounds that will keep your playlist vibrant and your mood elevated!
Wasia Project – “Somebody Come Through”
Brother and sister duo, Wasia Project consisting of William Gao and Olivia Hardy, have released their sophomore EP ISOTOPE. On the heels of their opening spot for fellow jazz and alt-pop musician Laufey, and ahead of their own headline tour, the siblings found time to craft an artistic album that tells the story of love, loss, and longing through a mix of soulful melodies and introspective lyrics. The duo described their music as “a mix of jazz, pop, a little bit of indie, and bedroom pop” in an interview with EnVi.
Coming in the middle of the EP, “Somebody Come Through” showcases Hardy’s haunting vocals as she expresses the confusion and vulnerability that come with navigating unrequited feelings. The track captures the universal struggle of deciphering mixed signals, with Hardy lamenting, “Tell me why the way you look at me is so confusing,” and grappling with the frustration of being caught in an endless loop of emotional highs and lows. The melancholic melody paired with the poignant lyrics creates a relatable atmosphere, drawing listeners into the depths of emotional turmoil. It’s a raw and reflective moment on the album, showing the duo’s ability to translate complex narratives into captivating music.
CHANYEOL – “Black Out”
12 years into their fruitful career, nearly every EXO member can now say they’ve released a solo album. While EXO’s group releases are known to range anywhere from pop to funk to R&B, and more, they’re still very consistent and on brand with the group’s image. Their solo endeavors, however, have been even more expansive, diverse, and eclectic across the board — they’re like snapshots of each person and how they see themselves outside of EXO. The latest to drop his “snapshot” is Chanyeol with his debut EP, Black Out.
“Black Out,” the eponymous single, fits right into Chanyeol’s wheelhouse. Although the 31-year-old is positioned as EXO’s main rapper, his personal sound has always lived within this dreamy acoustic bubble, offering a more intimate and subdued side of the Chanyeol we’ve come to know in EXO. This is reinforced by the calming pop-rock edge in “Black Out,” a track comparing the numbness of a post-breakup experience to an actual blackout. In the press conference held the same day as his album release, Chanyeol stated: “The protagonist, feeling emotionally overwhelmed, experiences a sense of disorder in daily life, likened to a darkened street or a phone screen that turns off without any notification.” A misconception in K-pop is that title tracks need to be this big, outlandish event when in reality, it’s okay to pull back and just let your song resonate with whoever needs it most — leave it to Chanyeol to understand the assignment.
Thuy – “Cloud 11”
Vietnamese-American singer Thuy has come a long way since her California cover days in 2015. From having a critically acclaimed single in 2022 with “Girls Like Me Don’t Cry” to becoming the first Vietnamese-American female artist to perform at Coachella, Thuy has quickly become the pop/R&B girl to watch. With dove-like vocals and a feathery-soft aura to match, Thuy’s latest single, “Cloud 11,” hits right on the nose as it sweeps you off to the nearest cotton candy pillow in the sky.
“Push me over the edge, not afraid of the fall,” Thuy sings in the track’s opening line. “And I come with angels and demons but you want it all.” In a candy-coated dream of wonder, “Cloud 11” flawlessly encapsulates that deliriously hazy feeling of falling in love head first. When someone accepts and loves you, flaws and all, it’s hard to remember which way is up or down — all you know is that you’re floating on air for what feels like an eternity. If you’re in the mood for a sweet trip down lover’s lane, do yourself a favor and let “Cloud 11” be your tour guide.
Manica – “Worst Best Friend”
Sometimes those closest to you are the ones who hurt you the most, and for Thai bedroom-pop singer, songwriter, and producer, Manica, that couldn’t ring anymore true. Nothing hurts more than falling deeply for someone knowing they will never return your feelings; struggling to maintain that familiar bond while your feelings run rampant. Manica talks all about it on her latest single, “Worst Best Friend,” detailing the complexities of friendship and love. Over a soft production paired with emotional lyrics, “Worst Best Friend” is a heartbreak anthem.
Manica is a versatile artist from Thailand, maneuvering genres like R&B, city-pop, and bedroom-pop to create her repertoire. Creating music that comes from the heart coupled with her heartfelt vocals, Manica is all about self-discovery and empowerment to inspire her audience.
Socials: IG | TK
CHUNG HA – “Algorithm”
With social media playing an essential role in our daily lives, there’s been a lot of talk about algorithms over the years — mostly how they reflect our interests and can sway us from one trend to the next. That’s exactly what K-pop artist CHUNG HA strives to do in her latest single, appropriately titled, “Algorithm.” In this infectiously rhythmic pop-dance track, CHUNG HA sings of being drawn into a potential love interest like a moth to a flame. Their fated love is compared to a predetermined algorithm, pulling them closer until the stars finally align.
“You appeared so suddenly like a click, your twinkling eyes make me kinda weak / They say I’m way too fast, does time matter? / I’m enjoying this feeling right now, alright,” CHUNG HA sings. The music video follows this same fun and whimsical vibe throughout, with the singer interacting with a mystery man through social media and participating in several TikTok trends to catch his eye. It’s no secret that CHUNG HA already thrives under this house genre, but “Algorithm” is sure to spread across your feed like wildfire.
Socials: IG | TK | X | YT
Otis Zheng – “Mango Sticky Rice”
Craving a sweet and refreshing treat perfect for any season? So is Otis Zheng, but don’t worry, he’s got you covered. Boston-based Chinese singer, songwriter, and producer, Otis Zheng, released his latest single “Mango Sticky Rice,” on August 30. Trust us, it’s just as sweet as it sounds! With a funky and fresh pop-production coupled with airy falsettos, Zheng gives us a summer bop perfect for all the romantics that is an instant earworm. Equating his lover’s kiss to the delicious Thai dessert, Zheng lays in on the clever wordplay as he croons “Mango sticky rice, little sour, sweet, and fresh / Just take a bite / Turn my day so breezy bright.”
Zheng teased the music video on his socials and it captures the vibe of the track perfectly. With Zheng himself the focus, he’s seen singing into a mic while clutching a mango that is animated like a beating heart. Dancers surround him in quirky, fuzzy outfits with moody lighting throughout. He dedicates this song to those “who have ever sacrificed themselves for love,” he writes on his Instagram. Love is a lot more like mango sticky rice than we think: being obsessed and unable to think of nothing else but the euphoria that fills you at the thought? He hit the nail right on the head!
Maki – “Namumula”
Filipino singer-songwriter Maki returns with his new single “Namumula,” following the success of his chart-topping viral hit “Dilaw.” While “Dilaw,” which translates to yellow, celebrates self-love and empowerment, “Namumula” — meaning reddening or blushing — explores the emotional complexities of those who find themselves irresistibly drawn to relationships despite the glaring warning signs of red flags. The pop track, infused with pop-rock influences, is elevated by Maki’s smooth vocals
With “Namumula,” Maki delves into the bittersweet reality of hopeless romantics who chase after love, even when the path ahead seems fraught with potential heartache. By contrasting the themes of his two singles, Maki highlights the multifaceted sides of love, capturing its uplifting moments and its more vulnerable, uncertain sides.
Fans can look forward to hearing “Namumula” performed live at Maki’s debut solo concert on November 29.
Gentle Bones – “b.o.m.b”
Singaporean singer-songwriter Gentle Bones, known for his velvety R&B-tinged vocals, returns with “b.o.m.b.,” the third in a series of singles released this summer. Following “forever!” in July and “i like that you like it” in early August, the trilogy seems to signify a new era for the artist. The new track, “b.o.m.b,” blends his smooth vocal delivery with subtle Afrobeats influences, offering a fresh take on his evolving sound.
Lyrically, “b.o.m.b” explores the intimate and dreamy moments shared between a couple. With lines like “I love it when you put your body on my body” it captures the essence of late-night connections. The production supports this theme with catchy rhythms and melodies that complement the warmth of Gentle Bones’ voice.
Following “b.o.m.b,” fans can look forward to what Gentle Bones has in store next.
AleXa – “joy of missing out”
You’ve heard of FOMO, now get ready for…JOMO? While many extroverted people suffer from fear of missing out on special events and parties with their friends, others actually prefer to keep their distance and stay home alone. Yes, we’re celebrating all the introverts out there with Korean-American artist AleXa and her latest single, “joy of missing out.” As an extrovert herself, it seems AleXa would much rather own the spotlight rather than shy away from it. But instead of centering herself as the life of the party, she dedicates this heavy-hitting pop-punk track to her more reserved friends and fans.
“I, myself, am an extrovert, but I’m the only one in my friend group,” AleXa stated in a press release. “This song goes out to all those who’d rather party by themselves than get lost in the crowd.” With crunchy vocal distortions and a blazing electric guitar in the background, “joy of missing out” is easily an anthem for when you’re alone at home with the volume blasting and singingly loudly into a hairbrush. The track serves as her fourth English-language single of 2024 leading up to her upcoming debut English album. If you haven’t already been introduced to AleXa in her rockstar era, now would be the perfect time.
Other tracks in this week’s Sunday Spin playlist include “GOOD SO BAD” by K-pop boy group ZEROBASEONE, “Bookmark” by Japanese pop band SEKAI NO OWARI, ”Bình Yên” by Vietnamese artist Vu., Woosung’s “Day That I Died,” “Tell the Truth” by Singaporean singer-songwriter Gen Neo, and “O-HE” from Bang Yedam. 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 here!
