FRIDAY DINGERS - 02.05.25

Rol3ert - ‘HOPE’

At just 19 years old, Japanese artist Rol3ert (pronounced Robert) continues to redefine the global J-pop landscape with his new single ‘HOPE’, blending emotive indie-rock, alternative pop, and cinematic melodies. Following the viral success of ‘meaning’, Rol3ert delivers a raw, bittersweet anthem about regret and trust, showcasing his smoky vocals over nostalgic ‘80s-inspired rhythms and placing himself among genre-bending contemporaries like The 1975, d4vd, and keshi.

HJ Soul - ‘Unbreakable’

Rising R&B/Soul artist HJ Soul makes a powerful entrance with his debut single ‘Unbreakable’, a cinematic and emotionally rich ballad. Blending neo-soul, contemporary R&B, and lo-fi influences, HJ Soul delivers a slow-burning anthem of resilience, featuring warm, velvety vocals and a deeply personal message of strength through adversity.

fayaway - ‘Tilted Chemistry’

Seoul-born, US-based singer-songwriter fayaway unveils her new single ‘Tilted Chemistry’, a collaboration with Mark Kang that unpacks the emotional weight of a one-sided relationship. Originally conceived as a Berklee College of Music class project, the genre-blurring track blends R&B, pop, and jazz influences, showcasing fayaway’s emotive vocals and honest lyricism alongside polished production by Hoh Ray Guang.

Rumia - ‘Kept All The Pain’

Rumia returns with her sophomore album ‘Old Enough to Save Myself’, a poignant journey through personal growth, generational trauma, and emotional awakening. Blending melancholic ‘90s trip-hop with warm acoustic textures and bilingual lyricism, the album—anchored by the haunting standout ‘Kept All the Pain’—delivers a deeply introspective and genre-fluid soundscape shaped by producer Manuel Colmenero.

Jeffers Insley - ‘Honey’

Los Angeles-based artist Jeffers Insley returns with ‘Honey’, a haunting piano ballad that delicately unpacks the lingering traces of intimacy and memory. Carried by sparse instrumentation and ethereal vocals, the track unfolds slowly and emotionally, immersing listeners in a dreamlike landscape of fractured harmonies and aching strings.