NUS Amplified finds Common Ground through the release of their first-ever EP

4 Apr 2024

Arts

NUS Amplified premiered music from their highly anticipated first-ever EP at Aliwal Arts Centre and on Spotify this year. NUS Amplified’s bands Soggy Jeans, Lobster, Rooftop Max, rathmock and Olisymps (now Eden Eyes), came in full force to proudly perform their original tracks from the EP.

Titled Common Ground, NUS Amplified’s EP consisted of five original songs, one each from the bands mentioned above. Each band had their songs written, recorded, mixed and mastered songs within an impressive time frame of just two months. The songs were recorded in a variety of spaces such as NUS Amplified own’s club room, professional studios, to even their homes.

This EP is a significant and unprecedented step for NUS Amplified. In the past, NUS Amplified had been known as a student music group which produced cover bands. Only a handful of members and alumni making original music. NUS Amplified has taken this opportunity to experiment and explore their creativity through the production of original music for a global online audience.

Soggy Jeans during the performance of their single Stuck. Soggy Jeans is one of NUS Amplified’s most seasoned bands, performing for numerous events over the past few years.

When asked what his favourite song in the EP is, NUS Amplified’s President, Russell Loo (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, ’25), told us it was Stuck by Soggy Jeans. Stuck was written about the all-too-common trope and unfortunate observation of couples entering loveless marriages and staying in them for the sake of the material affordances provided to them in the form of public housing.

“Stuck hears hard-hitting thematic content tied together with emotive yet catchy instrumentals, and raw but heartfelt vocals. With many of us on the cusp of young adulthood and the prospect of marriage looming in the horizon, the band produced this song in hopes to give a voice to some of the concerns that the young adults amongst us may face,” said Russell.

Russell, the President of Amplified and frontman of Olisymps (now Eden Eyes), in his element. As one of Amplified’s screamers, he and Eden Eyes were recognised for their high-energy metalcore performances.

Stuck was not the only song on the EP with a social commentary on our current times. Russell wrote the lyrics for his band’s song titled First Class Horrors. It was written back in his first semester of university when he was painfully mugging for finals and gunning for the dream of 4.50 CAP and above.

Russell said, “There’s a lot of rage directed towards Singapore’s academically fuelled rat race culture and the meritocratic dogma that fuels it, and I think the sheer intensity of the instruments and harshness of the vocals serves that rage very well”. After discussion with his band, Olisymps (now Eden Eyes), they decided that First Class Horrors was the most befitting debut track for their band given that they are all still part of this ‘rat race’.

At their launch concert held in January, the five NUS Amplified bands were joined by other local guest bands such as Pathetic Ordinary, Nosedive, Outer Orbit and Reserate. which marked the first time NUS Amplified bands shared the stage with bands from the local scene at their own concert.

Linus, of Reserate, channeling his passion and intensity into a powerful scream vocal performance. Reserate is one of Singapore’s household bands in the local metalcore scene.

River Chua from Centre for the Arts and Group Manager to NUS Amplified was proud of the group's achievement. She said, "The Common Ground EP is a wonderful initiative by NUS Amplified that has paved the way for future members to think about how they can create original work and release it into the world. The EP is just a taster to how musically diverse and talented NUS Amplified members are!"

An engaged crowd looked on as they were treated to an engaging performance by rathmock.

With the first step taken towards producing their own music, NUS Amplified is entertaining the possibility of releasing a full album if more resident bands express interest in releasing their own music. Perhaps, the next rising star in our local music scene may be our very own!

In the meantime, stay tuned for NUS Amplified’s their annual showcase, Amplitube, happening on 18 May 2024 for an exciting and unforgettable night of live music! It will be held at Esplanade Annexe Studio, the biggest venue the club has ever done a show at. Follow them on Instagram @nusamplified for their latest updates.

NUS Amplified’s EP ‘Common Ground’ is available for free playbacks on Spotify here.