myqo – Before Me (2025)
Once the musical project Regular Expressions came to a quiet close, singer-songwriter Damon Koh was determined to stoke that fiery passion for music… enter myqo. Borne of a period of endings and beginnings, myqo (pronounced mi-ai-ko) sparked the creation of insightful and evocative music. Inspired by the likes of The Cure, Joy Division, and The Smiths, the Singapore-based artist delves into the realm of loss, isolation, despair, tragedy, and a “search for connection in a world that can feel increasingly detached.” The latest addition to his discography is the single, ‘Before Me’.
Following his single ‘The Longest Chase’, ‘Before Me’ is a step back to yesteryear with its retro post-punk sound. Yet, as much as we can liken the melody to lighter hits of The Cure, ‘Before Me’ is softer, gentler, and calming. Shimmering synths travel along soaring guitars (courtesy of Benjamin Hwang and Joel Raphael Gan), while a pulsating drum echoes in the background like a steady heartbeat.
For me, the tune has a harmonic quality – kind of like that glistening sonic river with light bouncing off its dark ripples. Add the obscure vocals of Girls Like Mystery’s Kevin Wright, and you have the hazy, wistful veil hanging across the river that is comforting and intense. Using his magical production skills, Benjamin Hwang brings a sense of maturity in the arrangement; however, raw passion and pain flutter in ‘Before Me’.
Delicately unpicking the complexities of loss, longing and grief, ‘Before Me’ is more than just an intriguing melody. The despair is palpable – hell, you can cut it with a knife; but, simultaneously, the song broods resilience, connection, and a helping hand to find the light at the end of a rather dark tunnel.
Find out more about myqo on his Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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