hongjoin unveils his debut album CLOCKWORK, a 12-track exploration of love and time, ahead of his biggest Singapore headline show to date.
Singaporean-born, Brooklyn-based artist-producer hongjoin unveils his long-awaited debut full-length album, CLOCKWORK. Released alongside the focus single “Universe,” the 12-track project marks a major milestone in his artistic journey. Through a carefully crafted concept, the album explores the many emotions that shape love, heartbreak, and everything in between.
Each song on CLOCKWORK represents an hour on a clock face. The album draws from hongjoin’s fascination with time and the repetitive nature of love. Like clockwork, people often find themselves returning to the same person, memory, or feeling. At the same time, love has the power to disrupt time itself. Past experiences linger in the present, while hopes and fears about the future feel immediate. As a result, CLOCKWORK exists between order and unpredictability, tracing a deeply personal and non-linear emotional journey.
Leading the album is “Universe,” a cinematic and emotionally charged single inspired by The Little Prince. On the track, hongjoin places himself in the role of the Prince, who falls deeply in love with the rose and experiences heartbreak. Despite the pain, he continues to choose love. Musically, “Universe” blends expansive synth textures, cascading drums, and delicate felt piano. Furthermore, hongjoin’s vocals move effortlessly through the song’s cosmic atmosphere, highlighting both his songwriting and production skills.
Throughout CLOCKWORK, hongjoin approaches romance with unusual honesty. Rather than placing blame solely on others, he reflects on personal mistakes and emotional accountability. The album acknowledges that growth often comes from difficult conversations and uncomfortable truths. Moreover, it celebrates the courage required to remain vulnerable even when relationships become complicated.
In addition, CLOCKWORK challenges modern narratives that prioritize emotional independence above all else. Instead, hongjoin embraces connection, dependence, and the human desire to be understood. Through vivid storytelling and immersive production, he explores the idea that seeking comfort in another person is not a weakness but a fundamental part of being human.
To celebrate the release, hongjoin will perform his biggest Singapore headline show to date at *SCAPE Ground Theatre this July. The concert promises an intimate and nostalgic experience that reflects the themes of the album. Audiences can expect an evening centered on growing up, falling in love, and navigating life’s uncertainties. Tickets are available now.
Over the past few years, hongjoin has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting independent artists. To date, he has accumulated more than 10 million Spotify streams and attracts over 183,900 monthly listeners. His audience spans the region, with strong listenership across the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
His growing impact has earned recognition from Spotify, including Top Artist of Rising 65 and a Top 5 Songs of Rising 65 placement for “KOMOREBI” in 2024. Furthermore, his work has received coverage from publications such as The Straits Times, Men’s Folio, and SEA Today News.
On the live front, hongjoin sold out his 2024 homecoming headline show, Everything in Between, at the Esplanade Annexe. He has also shared stages with artists including Ricky Montgomery, Charlie Burg, Matt Maltese, Mikayla Geier, PRYVT, and grentperez. More recently, he was announced as the opening act for EJEAN’s upcoming U.S. tour dates in Brooklyn, Vancouver, and Seattle.
Entirely self-produced, hongjoin’s music reflects a generation shaped by both internet culture and bedroom creativity. As a result, he continues to carve out a distinct space within Singapore’s independent music scene. With CLOCKWORK, he delivers an immersive coming-of-age album that captures fleeting romance, youthful imagination, and the emotional complexities of growing up while moving forward.
hongjoin invites fans to experience CLOCKWORK, his debut album exploring love, loss, and time, now streaming on all major platforms.
