Instead of featuring just the Men’s Folio team’s weekly playlists (you can catch up here), however, we’ve opened up the column to friends, industry mates, and people who we think have the right groove.
You can never predict the kinds of songs that will end up in your forever playlists. You might have songs you had on repeat for days, weeks or months, or you might find tracks that were unconsciously consumed from the environment, then encountered again by chance only to discover that it was an important BGM (and now bookmark) to some unexpectedly significant moment in life.
For singer-songwriter RENE’s latest EP ‘Slipped Through My Fingers’, such is the nature of life in all its belated epiphanies and longings for times gone past. You just never know. Pensive in word but brimming with a hopeful sincerity in sound, she writes for one and none in an indie-rock rumination on the pain and beauty of loss, without the weight. It’s simultaneously grounding in its easy-listening guitar chords and as it is resolute with RENE’s comfortingly clear vocals — there’s no doubt the five tracks are made from tides both calm and strong, and can weather through more should the listener let it take lead.
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For this week’s MFMF, we dip a little into her mind to see how some of these tracks came to be, getting a taster of the music that has inspired RENE as both an artist and person. As for how much she feels for these picks, in her words: “I love these tracks and could listen to them to death.”
True Blue — boygenius
I’m in a place in my life right now where I am extremely content and fulfilled with the relationships in my life. I’m so grateful for the friends and community around me so this song rocks coz it’s a love song to friends and I am in love with my friends!! I also love boygenius and would list all their songs here but I will spare you from that.
(You) On My Arm — Leith Ross
My best friends and I were talking about getting matching tattoos and one of them sent this song over because we can’t wait to have each other on our arms. There’s something about hearing other people’s stories of queer love and friendship, and realising that you experience the same wholesome things. I never heard these kinds of songs growing up but I’m really glad they exist now and I want to give the same feeling to other people through my music! I wish I wrote this song!!
Kind Of Girl — MUNA
MUNA is the sexiest pop band alive and I think it’s so special that they stripped back their usual electronic pop sound for a more acoustic/folk approach with Kind Of Girl. It’s so meaningful and inspiring. It’s also really empowering – I’m used to hearing songs about empowerment being these huge pop tracks but I’m particularly drawn to this one coz it’s honest and gentle. I’m a sucker for great lyrics and I think MUNA always hits the nail right on the head. This whole album is so good.
Scarlett — Holly Humberstone
I think Holly Humberstone is one of the coolest songwriters right now. Her entire discography is full of incredible songwriting but this was the first song of hers that reeled me in.
hiccup — Valley
I wish I had 2 mouths so I could sing in octaves with myself at the same time. Valley is awesome.
dear abbey — hongjoin
hongjoin is an incredible young artist from right here in Singapore. I’m so inspired by his production and drive. He produces everything himself. What a king. Also his vocal tone is just insane.
Fabric of Reality — Marian Carmel
Marian writes the best lyrics and vocal melodies. She’s also one of my best friends that I will have on my arm one day!
American Teenager — Ethel Cain
I love the way Ethel uses her lyrics to paint scenes. I’m definitely not an American Teenager and I’ve never cried in the bleachers but I feel like I’m right there with her.
Catch Me In The Air — Rina Sawayama
Rina Sawayama’s music reminds me that binding yourself to genres is unnecessary and you can make whatever the hell you want. We live in a post-genre world!!!
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our May 2023 issue.
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