Whispers In The Noise: Introducing Heema Izzati’s Folk-Pop That Finds Calm In The Chaos
At such a young age, Heema Izzati has a sterling future ahead of her (Credit: Courtesy of Heema Izzati)
What does folk-pop in Singapore sound like? For 18-year-old Heema Izzati, it’s part-diary entry, part-confession, and part-soothing balm for restless minds. With her new single “Whispers”, the rising singer-songwriter offers anxious hearts and overthinkers a rare gift: a reminder that even in a world of noise, there can always be someone or something to soften it.
Heema’s story has never been conventional. She has been performing since the age of four, a child prodigy whose love for music carried her from piano and cello recitals to the nation’s biggest stages. At 13, she was dazzling audiences at the National Day Parade, sharing the spotlight with JJ Lin and Stefanie Sun. Since then, she’s appeared at ChildAid, delivered a TEDx talk on the magic of music, and most recently made her solo NDP debut in 2025 with a heartfelt cover of Charlie Lim’s Room at the Table while leading the National Anthem. Along the way, her eclectic musical journey — from competitive cellist to rock bands to acapella groups — has informed a sound that blends alternative rock, pop, and soul. Her first single, “Locked Out” (2023), hinted at the emotional candour that now defines her songwriting.
With “Whispers”, Heema Izzati fully arrives — not with a bang, but with a hush. Co-written with Ethan Christopher Koh and produced by Krysta Joy, the track unfolds like a soft-spoken promise: gentle, reassuring, and unhurried. Clocking in under four minutes, it’s a tonic for the chronically overstimulated — a warm antidote to the overwhelm of the modern world. The song captures the quiet tension between chaos and calm, offering not resolution but presence. Production-wise, it wears its heart on its sleeve: warm acoustic textures, tender harmonies, and a steady rhythm that cradles Heema’s soul-baring vocals. Anchored by finger-picked guitar and subtly layered harmonies, the song leans into stripped-down, organic textures. It sounds like slowing down — or at least trying to. Lyrically, it reads like a journal entry in pencil: intimate without indulgence, honest without demanding attention. Rather than trying to impress with theatrics, “Whispers” leans in, soft and steady, like a friend who knows when to say nothing at all.
The song bears the hallmarks of her influences (Lizzy McAlpine, Maggie Rogers, Kacey Musgraves), yet the emotional DNA is distinctly her own. If Lizzy writes to be understood, Heema writes to comfort — and in “Whispers”, you feel that instinct deeply. It’s a song that doesn’t just play; it stays.
Her debut EP promises to build on that ethos: songs that look inward while speaking outward, personal stories that carry universal resonance. If “Whispers” is any indication, Heema Izzati isn’t just another singer-songwriter in Singapore’s crowded landscape. She is a reminder that vulnerability can be strength — and that even in the chaos, there’s always music to steady us.
(Credit: Courtesy of Heema Izzati)
Listen to “Whispers” by Heema Izzati on Spotify. Follow Heema Izzati on socials for more updates.
This contributor feature was written by Izza Sofia.
Izza Sofia is a culture writer whose work spans music, nightlife, and emerging creative scenes. She’s contributed to platforms like Time Out Singapore and JUICE, and is always chasing the perfect sentence (and the perfect setlist). You can find her at @izzasofia on IG.
