The third edition of UTOPIA Reimagined Series continues The Foundation’s long-term vision to build a body of original Singapore music that speaks to who we are and where we are headed. This edition features newly commissioned singles by Marian Carmel, Kin Leonn, Dawn Wong, YAØ, each offering a personal reimagining of the concept of utopia and what it means to hope, create, and belong in Singapore today.
UTOPIA Reimagined: Let Go
By YAO
Released: 25 April 2025
At its core, “Let Go” explores the tension between holding on and moving forward, both philosophically and literally. The song dives into the universal struggle of release: how we, as humans, resist letting go even when we know it’s necessary, yet deep down, we yearn for the peace that comes with it. It’s a sonic reflection of our fight against change while longing for paradise, an emotional push-and-pull brought to life through soaring melodies and intricate orchestration.
With this single, YAØ continues to push his artistry into new realms, proving once again that innovation and authenticity are at the heart of his music. Cover artwork “acute probabilities” by Nicholas Ong.
UTOPIA Reimagined: Parallel Lines
By Marian Carmel
Released: 17 July 2025
UTOPIA Reimagined: Parallel Lines is a story about two childhood neighbours, told through an indie-pop / folk tune. Marian Carmel writes about the lives of these two friends – meeting as 7-year-olds, catching up again at 21 and 30, and realising that their lives are completely different even though they’ve been living on the same road. The melancholic track touches on the topic of privilege and its shadow: apathy. Cover artwork “collective enthusiasm” by Nicholas Ong.
UTOPIA Reimagined: 世界好靓啊
By Dawn Wong
Released: 14 August 2025
As a reconnection to her roots, Dawn explores traditional Hakka music and the dialect in her latest single. A rediscovered folk style was revived through the track. Dawn’s exploration led her to collaborate with native Hakka speakers, who helped translate and write the lyrics, adding her own melodical folk spin, along with The Straits Ensemble. The song quickens in pace while repeating the same refrain, reflecting the lyrical message of the quickening of time as one ages. Cover artwork “celebratory practices” by Nicholas Ong.
UTOPIA Reimagined: asymptope
By Kin Leonn
Release Date: Coming Soon
“I composed ‘asymptote’ as a piece that constantly leans forward—always building, pushing to peak, with each long swell opening into another like a decorated shepherd’s tone. I think it stays in that suspended overlap between hope and uncertainty, giving both warmth and tension in the process; never a finished clarity. I hope that this expresses my reflection on this deeply human-centric idea of utopia, like a loop which always draws us forward, or a horizon that shifts as we approach.” Cover artwork “eclipse tile” by Nicholas Ong.
Explore all chapters of UTOPIA Reimagined →
