Editor: @nwangerd
Singapore, a city-state of stark contrasts, where pristine streets and swaying palm trees meet strict laws and harsh penalties. I still recall my first encounter with this uniquely blended city during a three-night vacation in 2018. As I stepped off the Scoot Airlines flight, the rough landing shook me, but it was nothing compared to the bold warning on the back of the immigration card:
"DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS"
Yes, Singapore is a country where the death penalty is still enforced. Perhaps it's thanks to this strict law and order, but Singapore has grown to become one of the wealthiest nations in Asia. And here I am calling this place home, over two years into my life in this city-state, making money and living a reasonably satisfying life.
However, Singapore still has a glaring flaw: it can be boring for young singles. With just over 60 years of history, no mountains to hike, and its compact, flat layout (which is perfect for running by the way), these characteristics can lead to a shortfall in recreational options for young people. It's no surprise that "I'm bored" becomes my default state of mind.
In the midst of these monotonous days, I got together with two like-minded colleagues (called friends) who shared my struggle. This is how magazine.ybp was born. The name "ybp" stands for young broque professionals, representing a magazine by and for young professionals striving to do their best for both work and life.
magazine.ybp will serve as a platform to share what we—three of us and other ybps everywhere—are thinking, doing, and experiencing to navigate our life.
Naturally, it wasn’t hard to decide what to write about for our debut article:
“What do I usually do after work?”
And that brings us to this story about vacations, death penalties, and drugs, as this article is about the drug of my own: music—and more specifically, vinyl.
I've been collecting vinyl records with dedication. My post-work ritual involves playing them on an entry-level Audio-Technica turntable paired with a Marshall speaker that a former-colleague sold me at a bargain price. It's become one of my go-to routines to fight the boredom of daily life.
I've always been a fan of listening to my favorite artists' works in full albums in the straight order rather than singles. Over time, this habit evolved into a desire to own the physical albums I cherished most, which naturally led me to vinyl collecting.
Unfortunately, Singapore's vinyl scene isn't particularly robust. While there are a few specialty shops, they don't carry a wide range of records from different countries. It's an ironic situation, given Singapore's strong British and European influences. My guess is that it's due to the small size of the local music market and the country's relatively short history. To compensate, I often hunt for hard-to-find records during trips back to Korea or visits to Japan, gradually expanding my collection despite the challenges.
For this article, I’ve chosen a few of my favorite records from my collection here in Singapore to introduce to you. That’s right—the TL;DR of our magazine’s first article is “NWANGERD’s Top 6 Vinyls.”
I've selected two albums from each genre, providing basic information about the artists and albums, as well as where I purchased them. Each album title is linked to a corresponding YouTube video, and at the end of the article, you'll find a playlist on Spotify and Apple Music featuring all the albums in this article.
So, without further ado: Here we go.
- Shore by Fleet Foxes
Genre: Folk / Indie Rock
Released: 2020
2LP / Bought from Retrophonic Records (SG)
About:
Fleet Foxes, a Seattle-based folk/indie rockband, returned after a three-year hiatus with their fourth studio album, Shore. Led by frontman Robin Pecknold, the band is renowned for its pastoral sound, blending folk and psychedelic rock influences with deeply metaphorical lyrics. This album continues their exploration of life's worries and anxieties, but with a newfound maturity. By incorporating natural sounds, Pecknold transforms these themes into something profoundly beautiful, making Shore a
heartwarming listen perfect for unwinding after a long day.
- 2. Lonerism by Tame Impala
Genre: Psychedelic Rock / Neo-Psychedelia
Released: 2012
2LP / Bought from Retrophonic Records (SG)
About:
Tame Impala's mastermind Kevin Parker is synonymous with psychedelic rock post
2000. I've chosen Lonerism, their second album, as my rock genre selection. This record marked a turning point in Parker's career, bringing widespread fame and introducing me to psychedelic rock. With tracks blending '60s Beatles-inspired psychedelic sound and addictive synths, Lonerism delivers a unique listening experience. It's an excellent starting point for those new to the genre.
- 3. Ego Death by The Internet
Genre: R&B / Neo-Soul
Released: 2015
2LP / Bought from Vinyl&Plastic (KR)
About:
In the R&B genre, my first pick is Ego Death by The Internet. Although the band's
activity has slowed, guitarist Steve Lacy's solo career has taken off. Ego Death achieved commercial success and critical acclaim, earning a Grammy nomination. Syd's storytelling and vocals make you feel like you're experiencing love and heartbreak firsthand. The album's neo-soul foundation, complemented by hip-hop and psychedelic rock elements, makes it truly special. My takeaway? When’s their next album coming out?
- 4. Here by Alicia Keys
Genre: R&B
Released: 2016
1 LP / Bought from Disk Union (JP)
About:
Alicia Keys' sixth album, Here, holds a personal significance for me. Despite commercial struggles, Keys' stunning vocals evoke the spirit of New York. The album's cohesive, organic sound feels like it was crafted in a single sitting. Here brings back memories of my younger days in New York, making it incredibly special to me personally. After all, isn’t evoking memories one of the greatest accomplishments of music? If you ever find yourself in New York, I highly recommend giving this album a listen.
- 5. Watermark by Enya
Genre: New Age / Ambient / Celtic
Released: 1988
1LP / Bought from Retrophonic Records (SG)
About:
For the new age/soundtrack genre, I've chosen Watermark, Enya's debut album. Enya's
work shaped my musical tastes, as her music was a staple of my childhood (she was my
mom’s favorite singer). Perhaps this early exposure explains my affinity for dreamy
melodies. Watermark features Enya's classic "Orinoco Flow" and other tracks showcasing her signature sound. With over 8 million copies sold worldwide, it remains one of her most iconic albums.
- 6. The Classics by Hans Zimmer
- Genre: Soundtrack
- Released: 2017
- 2LP / Bought from RetroCrates (SG)
- About:
is a composer of unparalleled status, with iconic scores like Dune, Inception, Interstellar, Gladiator, and The Lion King. The Classics reimagines his most iconic scores as classical pieces in collaboration with various artists. If you find yourself looping this album, I highly recommend experiencing his live performance.