Singapore’s next wave of musicians is not just playing the game, they’re rewriting the score. Bold, genre-blurring and unapologetically themselves, this year’s Bright Young Things are changing the way we hear—and feel—music. Together, these six musicians represent the pulse of a generation: Regina Song, Joyy, Layyi, Estelle Fly, Jasmine Sokko, and Jean Seizure.
At just 20, Regina Song is already living the dream she once fundraised for as a teen. The Singaporean singer-songwriter began writing music at 16—juggling school, part-time jobs and production costs—before debuting with LUCAS in 2021. A classically trained pianist with a love for storytelling, she’s since captured hearts with her candid lyrics and airy vocals. Her debut album fangirl has racked up more than a million streams, with breakout hit the cutest pair topping charts and cementing her status as one of Singapore’s most exciting new voices in music.
GRAZIA Singapore: Was there a defining moment when you knew music was your calling?
Regina Song (RS): I’ve been writing songs since I was 13, but when I was 17, I had this sudden urge to release a single—and so I did. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences ever. I knew music was my calling because I just couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.
GS: You released your debut single LUCAS in 2021 and now have a full-length album under your belt. How would you describe your evolution as an artist since then?
RS: I’ve grown tremendously. I’ve learnt a lot about what I like in my own music, and about myself. With every release, I learn what resonates with my listeners and how to promote my work in new ways. As I work on my sophomore album, I’ve realised my writing has become more mature and introspective. I’m no longer such a hopeless romantic—I’ve discovered that love isn’t always a bed of roses. That contrast between expectation and reality has shaped me as both an artist and a person.
GS: fangirl feels incredibly personal yet relatable. What was the creative spark behind the album, and what stories were you most excited—or nervous—to share?
RS: fangirl is filled with songs from my teen years, written between the ages of 16 and 19. I have my bizarre love stories to thank—without them, I wouldn’t have felt the emotions that led to these songs. It’s wild to think they were written years ago, because I still feel so deeply about them. I was especially excited to share the cutest pair. Funny story: the album was originally meant to be titled after the song fangirl, but after bringing it up to my management at the time, we switched it to the cutest pair. I always had a hunch it would become the fan favourite—a little secret I shared with the song.
GS: Can you walk us through your songwriting process—does melody come first, or do you write lyrics like journal entries?
RS: My ideas usually come to me on impulse. I’ll reach for my phone to jot something down, or rush to the piano to record it. Other times, I write when I’m overwhelmed by emotion and need a place to channel it. Those are often the moments when my favourite songs come to life.
GS: How does your cultural background inform your artistry?
RS: I grew up in a Chinese Catholic household with fairly traditional parents, so I sometimes write music I think they’d enjoy—and that’s not a bad thing! I also grew up going to church and listening to choir music, which probably explains why I love adding choral elements to my songs. That, and I was part of an a cappella group growing up. I also listened to a lot of Mandopop and classical music, which have undoubtedly shaped my sound.
GS: What does being ‘young’ mean to you right now—is it freedom, pressure, a proving ground?
RS: It’s all of that. Youth feels like a playground—it’s when I get to explore, experiment, and have fun. But I also need to be discerning about the paths I take. Being young can feel like you have all the time in the world, yet there’s also that pressure to “make it” fast. I’ve been learning how to balance freedom with the weight of expectation, especially over the past few months.
GS: Do you ever feel underestimated because of your age—or empowered by it?
RS: I actually enjoy being the youngest one in the room because it means I get to learn from everyone around me. There’s time and space to grow into a more senior or mature role. While I do feel underestimated at times, I mostly feel empowered. Being young carries a sense of possibility. It’s like I’m in this beautiful delusion that everything will work out—and honestly, I hope that feeling lasts for a long time.
PHOTOGRAPHY ZANTZ HAN
CREATIVE DIRECTION KELLY HSU
PRODUCER CHERYL LAI-LIM
STYLING TOK WEI LUN
HAIR & MAKEUP KAT ZHANG / THE SUBURBS STUDIO
VIDEOGRAPHERS JAYA KHIDIR AND SHERMAN SEE-THO
STYLING ASSISTANT CRYSTAL LIM
HAIR & MAKEUP ASSISTANTS NICOLE ANG AND SVETA KLYN / THE SUBURBS STUDIO
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANTS MICHELLE YAP AND PENG SHENG
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