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Album review: Wolves In The Night (Debra Khng)

SINGAPORE — Four years in the making, Wolves In The Night is a statement of artistic intent from singer-songwriter Debra Khng. She may be young but Khng’s raison d’etre is the world of ’80s pop, of power ballads and earnest folk songs. Thus, the five songs on this debut EP showcases a somewhat unique perspective quite removed from what most of Khng’s music peers are producing. The lyrics have a poetic sensibility that seem somewhat at odds with Khng’s bombastic vocal stylistic approach — almost like Mariah Carey singing Tracy Chapman songs. However, this only adds to the special quality that she brings to the proceedings. There is an attention-getting collaboration with The Sam Willows’ Benjamin Kheng on the country pop ballad Strangers, which keeps things interesting. Overall, this EP harkens to a time long past, a longing throwback to traditional pop songwriting where melody trumps the hip and cool factor uncompromisingly. The singer will launch her debut EP at Hood Bar tomorrow (Dec 6) at 8pm.

Debra Khng's Wolves In The Night.

Debra Khng's Wolves In The Night.

SINGAPORE — Four years in the making, Wolves In The Night is a statement of artistic intent from singer-songwriter Debra Khng. She may be young but Khng’s raison d’etre is the world of ’80s pop, of power ballads and earnest folk songs. Thus, the five songs on this debut EP showcases a somewhat unique perspective quite removed from what most of Khng’s music peers are producing. The lyrics have a poetic sensibility that seem somewhat at odds with Khng’s bombastic vocal stylistic approach — almost like Mariah Carey singing Tracy Chapman songs. However, this only adds to the special quality that she brings to the proceedings. There is an attention-getting collaboration with The Sam Willows’ Benjamin Kheng on the country pop ballad Strangers, which keeps things interesting. Overall, this EP harkens to a time long past, a longing throwback to traditional pop songwriting where melody trumps the hip and cool factor uncompromisingly. The singer will launch her debut EP at Hood Bar tomorrow (Dec 6) at 8pm.

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