Sunday Spin: New Releases From Conan Gray, Mark Tuan, Reyremar, NCT WISH, and SE SO NEON
Sunday Spin is EnVi‘s weekly music showcase, where we bring you the hottest global hits in our curated playlist. Join us every Sunday for new music that sets the perfect tone for your upcoming week.
Summer is in full swing, and the heat is not slowing down with these new music releases! EnVi is bringing you the hottest tunes around the world to amp up your heavy rotation. Whether you’re hitting the beach with friends, or spending a romantic night out — this week’s Sunday Spin has something to offer for every summer endeavor!
Kenton – “Gift of Loneliness”
Queer Asian American singer-songwriter Kenton returns with “Gift of Loneliness,” the third single from his debut album Sweetmouth, arriving in October 2025. Produced by Eric Cannata and SameSame, the track pulls from a childhood memory that shaped Kenton’s understanding of queerness and spirituality. Backed by skittering synths and layered pop production, Kenton confronts the label of loneliness once put upon him and ultimately reframes it as a source of strength. The song and its music video continue the introspective arc of Sweetmouth. The upcoming album is shaped by Kenton’s unique life experiences as a pastor’s kid, a child of Taiwanese immigrants, and as a performer learning to let go of inherited expectations.
NCT WISH – “Surf”
NCT WISH are back with their signature youthful energy with the pre-release “Surf!” The six-piece unit are indulging in the summer vibes with this new jack swing-influenced pop track. The song has a funky, nostalgic tinge reminiscent of classic SMTOWN special summer releases like “Hello! Summer!” from 2003. “Surf” encourages listeners to ride the waves of life with that special someone. They sing in the energetic chorus: “Surf surf, hold my hands / On the ocean’s surface / Twirl for me, my Dancer.”
The music video serves up quintessential WISH-core — decorative stickers, Gen Z-inspired editing, and a medley of bright colors. The final piece to complete this summer anthem is the motif-driven choreography that mimics ocean waves and the beaming sun.
NCT WISH will be making their full comeback on September 1 with their third mini album COLOR. With yet another strong release under their belt, fans will be curious to see what the colorful team will deliver!
Conan Gray – “Caramel”
Conan Gray makes a bold return with “Caramel” off his latest 12-track album, Wishbone. “Caramel” is rich with Conan Gray’s signature indie-pop sound. The track kicks off with a symphony of synths atop band instruments, which subdues in the verses and peaks again in the explosive chorus. Conan Gray speaks of a relatable feeling in heartbreak — although you can recognize that relationship wasn’t meant to be, you can’t help but reminisce on the good times spent together.
The track’s fitting name comes from the way someone stays engrained in your memory, burnt like caramel. Conan Gray sings in the chorus: “Yeah you / Burn inside my memory / So well / You caramel / You’re caramel / And the longer burn / The sweeter that you smell.”
This sentiment is complete with the riveting music video, which is the perfect visual companion to this story. Conan Gray stumbles upon an old lover, and all the memories rush back in, shrouding his judgment. “Caramel” offers up a nostalgic tinge that swells up in the summer heat, making it a playlist essential for those reflective nights.
Kal Banx – “STEPPING STONE”
The iconic producer behind some of your favorite rap and hip-hop tunes is now ready to be the main star! Grammy Award-winning producer Kal Banx debuted with the two-disc EP Rhode. As a pioneer of modern hip-hop, it is no surprise that his debut EP is layered with multidimensional grooves and experimental textures. Rhode stars a multitude of features — Baby Tate, Maxo Kream, Smino, AUDREY NUNA, and Isaiah Rashad to name a few. With Kal Banx’s impressive producer resume, numerous industry greats spared no hesitation to collaborate on his debut project.
“STEPPING STONE” is a boom bap track that features an authentic jazz sound driven by a strong percussion. The lyrics demonstrate Kal Banx’s sensibility and poeticism, with lines like “I put everybody down / and glued on this fake smile / My mind raced so many miles / My heart pump a million times / But it let me know that I’m alive.” Kal Banx is unlocking a new chapter to his ever-expanding career, and EnVi is here for it!
JVKE, Maki – “seasons”
The Philippines meets the States with JVKE and Maki’s surprise collaboration, “seasons.” Off of JVKE’s newest four-track EP, the asia tour: blooming season ep, “seasons” is one of many new collaborations for JVKE. JVKE, known for his viral hit, “Golden Hour,” teamed up with the Philippines’ hottest artist, Maki. Maki’s 2024 anthem, “Dilaw,” would become a breakout hit with over 50 million music video views and over 270 million Spotify streams. The two soloists known for their passionate voices and storytelling make for the perfect vocal duo!
“Seasons” is a mid-tempo synthpop track about regretting a love that got away. JVKE kicks the song off, with hard-hitting lyrics like “Let’s pick back up / How could we leave it? / Because we never got to watch / the second season.” Maki hops on the track to sing the chorus in unison, but in the song’s second verse, Maki takes the reins and sings in both English and Tagalog. This retrospective love song highlights two artists making strides in pop music in their respective countries — who are now ready to conquer the rest of the world!
JVKE Socials: IG | TK | X | YT
Maki Socials: IG | TK | X | YT
Rayremar – “Masih Disini”
Following his debut single “Mahligai Idaman” earlier this year, Indonesian artist Rayremar returns with “Masih Disini” which translates to “still here.” The song is an emotional pop rock ballad centered around the themes of determination and loyalty. Written by Morris Orah, Rayyan Rema, and Meralda Adam, the track captures the feeling of remaining present for someone, even as time, distance, or grief reshapes the relationship. “Just being present, just surviving. That’s what I feel in ‘Still Here,’” Rayremar shared in a press release.
Sung in both English and Indonesian, “Masih Disini” blends soft harmonies with modern production, anchored by Rayremar’s emotive vocal performance. Sometimes, he reminds listeners, love doesn’t need to be spoken to be felt.
Ali Shah – “Burn Blue”
Toronto-based artist Ali Shah has released “Burn Blue,” the second single from his upcoming project Boy Blues. Co-written with Mingxuan Gao, the track blends a synth-pop production with traditional Pakistani musical elements, to reflect Shah’s Western and South Asian influences. Adding to that, the track is also sung in both English and Urdu. “Burn Blue” explores commitment from a queer perspective, capturing the emotional clarity and maturity that comes with choosing to be with someone fully. “Being able to communicate that in both English and Urdu for the first time is my favorite part of this track,” Shah shared. The single marks a deeper shift in tone for the artist, following his 2023 breakout EP The Talking Stage, and sets the stage for his new era.
Steve Lacy – “Nice Shoes”
Steve Lacy kicks off a new chapter with “Nice Shoes,” his first solo release since 2022’s ultra-successful Gemini Rights and the lead single from his upcoming third album Oh Yeah?. Co-written with Nightfeelings and Matthew Castellanos, and produced solely by Lacy, the track pairs an asymmetric synth-driven beat with blunt, explicit conversational lyrics that explores attraction and that hazy in-between of blurred boundaries.
Midway through, the song shifts into a slower section with soft guitar and soulful, layered vocals before returning to its original tempo. Lacy has called the song a trailer for what’s next, pointing to a more intentional and experimental direction in his sound.
Mark Tuan – “hold still”
Multi-hyphenate Mark Tuan returns with “hold still,” the second pre-release single from his upcoming 2025 EP, following “High As You.” Co-written by Tuan, the track blends his signature emotional pop with a steady groove, exploring the limbo between choosing to continue holding on or let go. Through restrained vocals and a dance-driven hook, he captures the tension and relatability of being emotionally stuck while everything and everyone else moves forward. “Hold still” builds on the narrative introduced in his previous work, continuing his reflection on all things heartbreak, missed connections, and words left unsaid.
SE SO NEON – “NOW”
Korean band SE SO NEON’s single “NOW” serves as the emotional and sonic cornerstone of their debut album. Born out of frontwoman Soyoon Hwang’s (So!YoON!) creative breakthrough during a focused, 10‑hour‑a‑day studio stretch in New York, the track captures her renewed sense of purpose. “That’s why the album title is NOW,” she reflected in a press release. “I had been thinking, ‘I’m done. I’m not going to do music anymore.’ But after that New York experience, I felt hope.”
Released in both Korean and English versions, “NOW” is led by layered guitar riffs, steady percussion, and a sense of restraint that mirrors its reflective theme. The arrangement is nostalgic but purposeful, allowing Hwang’s vocals to cut through with clarity as she repeats the question, “What should I do now?”
SE SO NEON’s North American tour kicks on September 3rd.
Other tracks in this week’s Sunday Spin playlist include “She (feat. Kurtis Wells)” by Rich Brian, “BADLY,” a collaboration between Thai artists among TANONT & PIXIE, and “With You” by Lola Amour. Listen to everything mentioned and more, curated by Team EnVi only for you on Spotify.
Want more of the latest releases? Check out our previous Sunday Spin here!
