It’s a moment fans have been waiting for—keshi’s sophomore album, Requiem, is out today. If Gabriel introduced us to keshi’s ability to fuse heartfelt lyrics with sleek R&B beats, then Requiem is his leap into deeper waters. Here, we see an artist in motion, not content with resting on past successes, but striving to push creative boundaries.

Released amidst mounting anticipation, Requiem promises not only to further solidify keshi’s place in the music industry but also to cement his reputation as a storyteller unafraid to confront life’s more difficult emotions. This is particularly evident in the album’s title, a reference to classical requiems, traditionally written to honour the dead. For keshi, it reflects personal losses that have coloured his life in recent years.

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“I’ve dealt with loss over the past few years, and one of the songs really captures that experience,” Keshi shared in a recent virtual press conference. “It made sense to name the album Requiem because it changed how I view life, how short it is, and how we often take things for granted.”

This reflective approach pervades the album, blending melancholic undertones with flashes of hope, perfectly encapsulating the human condition. Yet, it’s not all about looking inward—there’s a distinct sense of evolution in both sound and approach.

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Fans will notice a shift in the way Requiem was created. keshi, known for his solitary writing process, chose to collaborate more closely with friends and fellow creatives this time around. It’s a choice that feels deliberate, reflecting an artist who understands the power of community in shaping art.

“This time, it was much more collaborative. I worked with some of my best friends, and we learned a lot from each other,” he said. “My favourite part was having dinners afterward, where we’d listen to the demos we’d made that day and unwind. It made the process feel like a creative retreat.”

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As for the album’s standout moments, "Soft Spot" has already garnered attention for its bright, romantic energy—a departure from keshi’s usual introspective style. It’s a track that showcases the artist’s willingness to take risks, both sonically and emotionally. “I was really nervous about releasing 'Soft Spot'. It’s so different from anything I’ve done before, but the response has been amazing,” keshi admitted.

But Requiem isn’t just about creative evolution. It’s also a reflection of keshi’s growing maturity as an artist. In addition to its emotional depth, the album arrives at a time when keshi is taking stock of his achievements. “Apart from this album, this year has been full of milestones. I played my biggest show ever in Shanghai—it was a full-fledged arena, and looking out at the crowd was surreal,” he reflected.

With the album release and a world tour on the horizon, keshi’s journey is reaching new heights. His Southeast Asian fanbase continues to grow, and he’ll soon be performing in cities like Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila, and Singapore. For someone who once admitted to having stage nerves, his newfound confidence is evident.

“I used to get nervous before big shows, but now I’ve become more comfortable. It’s bittersweet because those butterflies were part of the excitement, but now I’m focused on being the best performer I can be,” he added.

With Requiem, Keshi has proven that he is an artist willing to evolve while staying connected to the emotional core of his music. The album’s mix of personal reflection, emotional depth, and fresh collaborations offers fans a rich, layered experience that is sure to resonate long after the final track.

As Keshi continues to push boundaries, both musically and personally, Requiem stands as a testament to his growth as an artist—a journey that, much like the album itself, is as introspective as it is expansive.

*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.