Southeast Asia is home to a growing number of singer-songwriters whose music goes beyond entertainment, inspiring audiences with powerful stories and heartfelt expression. These artists combine talent, authenticity and passion to create songs that resonate deeply, tackling themes of love, identity, and personal growth. By sharing their journeys through intimate lyrics and compelling performances, they connect with fans across their country and beyond. In this issue, Top 10 of Asia shares its list of Southeast Asia’s top 10 most inspiring singer-songwriters – artists who are not only shaping the sound of today but also leaving a lasting impression on listeners worldwide, proving that music can truly move, unite and transform.
Phum Viphurit
Phum Viphurit is a singer-songwriter based in Bangkok, Thailand. Raised in New Zealand since the age of 9, his love for laid-back music began there and continued into his adulthood as he began writing and releasing music in 2014. His musical style is a mixture of cultures and colours, portrayed in a mellow, up-beat yet intimate sound. His first LP, Manchild (2017) included the sleeper hit, “Long Gone” which would launch the beginning of his international career. This was followed by the EP, Bangkok Balter Club (2019) which included Hello, Anxiety and the lead single Lover Boy, a track that has since gained over 200 million streams on Spotify and Youtube combined. Touring both in 2018 and 2019, Phum and his travelling bandmates have toured the world, playing live houses, halls to renowned festivals. After having toured his latest album, The Greng Jai Piece in Asia, Australasia and North America in 2023. 2024 has birthed his new alter ego, Paul Vibhavadi – his first independent release, “Paul Vibhavadi Vol. 1” which draws influences from house and trance music, sparking a new sonic era for the songbird.
Wren Evans
Wren Evans (Phan Lê) is a Vietnamese singer-songwriter and producer representing a new generation of Asian pop artists. Known for his genre-blending sound and distinctive visual identity, Wren first gained attention in 2020 with “Fever” and later expanded his musical universe through the Fashion series, including Fashion 2, Fashion 3 and Fashion Nova. His artistic breakthrough came with his debut album “Loi Choi”, which marked a defining moment in contemporary Vietnamese pop. The album received widespread critical and public acclaim and was awarded Album of the Year 2023 at the Làn Sóng Xanh Music Awards. “Loi Choi” earned him recognition as one of the most influential young artists of his generation. In early 2026, Wren released his second studio album, “NỔ”, which quickly became a major milestone in Vietnamese music. In its first week, the album achieved nearly one million daily streams on Spotify and debuted at No. 6 on Spotify’s Global Top Albums chart. This achievement made Wren Evans the first Vietnamese artist to enter the global debut album rankings, marking a significant moment for Vietnam’s presence on the international music stage.
Anthony Meneses
Anthony Meneses is one of the most promising voices in the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) scene. He made history as the first Filipino artist signed under the Korean entertainment label ABYSS Company. He first gained national attention as a grand finalist on Wishcovery, followed by a Top 12 finish on Idol Philippines Season 2. His momentum continued in 2024 when his single “Kusapiling” debuted at #13 on the Spotify Philippines Viral Songs Chart. That same year, he joined ASAP as part of the Rockoustic Heartthrobs and has remained a regular performer on the programme. In 2025, he further solidified his rise through a duet version of his original “Paruparo” with Korean singer-songwriter Kim Gyeol and the original song “Tagu-Taguan” featured on the official soundtrack of Rekonek, a Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 entry. With a growing discography and a strong onstage identity, Anthony Meneses represents a new generation driving the evolution of OPM.
Gwyn Dorado
Gwyn Dorado, also known as Gwyneth Dorado is a Filipino singer-songwriter recognised for her emotionally rich vocals, strong musicianship, and steady rise across both the Philippine and South Korean music scenes. Her first major breakthrough came in 2015, when she became a finalist on Asia’s Got Talent, showcasing her talent at a young age and opening doors for future opportunities. She officially debuted as a solo artist in the Philippines with her digital single “Tulala” in 2022, and later gained broader recognition through releases such as “Why Do We Love?”. A defining turning point in her career arrived when she signed with a Korean entertainment company and achieved historic visibility as a contestant on JTBC’s Sing Again 4, where she ultimately placed 2nd overall, standing out as the only foreign finalist and earning widespread praise for her performances. Today, Gwyn Dorado continues to grow as a cross-border artist with global management with AO Entertainment, building a career defined by resilience, authenticity and a voice that resonates deeply with audiences.
Raissa Anggiani
Raissa Anggiani is an Indonesian singer-songwriter celebrated for her intimate blend of folk-pop and bedroom-pop, infused with poetic, emotionally resonant storytelling. She first gained widespread attention with her breakout single “Kau Rumahku”, which has amassed over 242 million streams on Spotify, topping the Billboard Indonesia Songs chart for two weeks, and remaining in the Top 10 for 23 consecutive weeks. In 2022, Raissa was selected for Spotify’s RADAR Indonesia programme, spotlighting emerging artists with global potential. Her work has earned nominations at Indonesia’s Anugerah Musik Indonesia (AMI) Awards, including Best New Artist and Best Urban Solo Artist, underscoring her artistic credibility. She was also selected as a Spotify EQUAL Ambassador, representing female Southeast Asian artists, and featured on New York’s Times Square billboard. In 2026, Raissa achieved another defining milestone with her first headlining tour – the Kepada, Yang Terhormat Album Tour, spanning six cities across Indonesia and culminating in a triumphant hometown show in Jakarta. With her ability to turn deeply personal emotions into universal stories, Raissa continues to captivate audiences across Southeast Asia, positioning her as an artist to watch on the global stage.
JAONAAY
Jinjett Wattanasin, also known as Jaonaay, is a prominent Thai singer, songwriter and actor who entered the entertainment industry at a young age, modelling for numerous well-known brands. At the age of 17, Jaonaay debuted as a singer with the song “Kon La Chan”, which achieved significant success, garnering over 114 million views on YouTube. Over the past seven years, he has consistently released musical works that have been well-received by his fanbase. He is now working as an artist under Sony Music Entertainment Thailand, marking a significant milestone in his musical journey. Most recently, in July 2025, Jaonaay released his debut single under the label titled “Tid Tur Sa Korn (Sweet Baby)”, which received an overwhelming response, rapidly climbing music charts and going viral across Asia, with artists from both Thailand and abroad praising the song widely on social media. Jaonaay’s official solo debut marks a significant musical evolution and reinforces his potential as one of the most promising Thai artists on the international music scene.
Bernadya
Bernadya Ribka Jayakusuma, known simply as Bernadya, is a sensational Indonesian singer-songwriter whose meteoric rise has captivated audiences across the globe. Bursting onto the music scene with her 2022 debut EP, featuring hit singles “Apa Mungkin” and “Satu Bulan”, which received the Platinum Awards in recognition of their outstanding success in the Indonesian music industry. Bernadya proved her gift for heartfelt and authentic songwriting. In 2024, she elevated her artistry to new heights with her first studio album, “Sialnya, Hidup Harus Tetap Berjalan”, a groundbreaking release that shattered streaming records as the most streamed album in a single day in Indonesia. Critically acclaimed and commercially triumphant, the album earned her multiple awards at Anugerah Musik Indonesia, including Best Pop Album of the Year, Best Album of the Year and Best Songwriter of the Year. Bernadya’s talent isn’t just recognised—it’s celebrated, as she continues to captivate fans and dominate the music scene.
Sezairi
Sezairi Sezali is a phenomenal Singaporean musician and singer-songwriter whose journey from being a Singapore Idol winner in 2009 to one of the nation’s most celebrated artists is nothing short of extraordinary. Signed with Sony Music Entertainment in 2015, he released his self-titled EP in 2016 and followed it with “Undertones” in 2020. Over a career spanning 16 years, Sezairi has grown from a breakout talent into an artist defined by authenticity, soul and an unflinching commitment to his craft. His songs — often romantic, nostalgic, and introspective—mirror his personal journey of love, loss and renewal. Now an independent artist under his own label, Offlane Records, Sezairi steps boldly into creative ownership with his fifth studio album, “The Art of Surrender”, entirely self-produced, the album is a masterclass in vulnerability and artistry, revealing a quiet confidence and the full depth of his musical vision.
Daiyan Trisha
Daiyan Trisha is a powerhouse of Malaysian talent, celebrated as a singer, songwriter, model, and actress whose artistry continues to evolve with confidence and flair. She has delivered a string of commercially successful songs, including the much-loved “Cinta Suka Sayang Kamu”, “Kita Manusia” and “If I”, while her heartfelt ballad “Penat” showcased her emotional depth as a songwriter. Daiyan’s music journey began in 2013 with her debut single “Kerana Kau” followed by the popular duet “Cinta Suka Sayang Kamu” with Akademi Fantasia 10 winner Faizul Sany. In 2017, she impressed fans by releasing “Boy In My Dream” and “Kita Manusia” simultaneously, and in 2019 collaborated with Juan Ariza on “I Wanna See Ya”, toured Southeast Asia with Sam Tsui, and unveiled her self-titled debut album. Further cementing her artistic growth, she unveiled the uplifting single “On My Way” in 2020, cementing her place as one of Malaysia’s most prominent music icons.
Regina Song
Regina Song Hwee Nee has swiftly risen as one of Singapore’s brightest musical sensations, captivating audiences across Asia with her emotionally rich songwriting and effortlessly catchy sound. Making her debut in 2021, she experienced a significant breakthrough with her debut album “Fangirl’, which propelled her to over 2.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify and saw fan-favourite “The Cutest Pair” top the Recording Industry Association Singapore charts. By 2024, Regina became Spotify’s most-streamed Singaporean artist of the year as “The Cutest Pair” racked up an impressive 43 million streams and conquered the Viral 50—Global category. Her debut album, “Fangirl”, sparked a sold-out Southeast Asia tour, while her deeply personal songwriting drew 1.6 million monthly listeners and earned her slots at major festivals such as the Philippines’ Wanderland. With millions of devoted listeners, Regina continues to make her mark in the music scene.