In 2024, Singaporean singer Regina Song took social media by storm with “the cutest pair.” The achingly tender ditty has amassed collectively more than 74 million streams on Spotify and YouTube, with millions more on other platforms. Behind the song is Singaporean production house PARKA. Its creative lead, Timothy Liew AKA teem, made his debut this week with the single “2X CHAMP.”
Its music video starts with teem watching The Materialists (2025) on his telly.
“You know how hard it is to make you happy,” John Pitts (Chris Evans) says. “And I want you to be happy. I’m trying, I really am!”
“I know, and it’s almost enough to make me happy,” Lucy Mason (Dakota Johnson) fires back.
The gloomy opener alone promises a completely different vibe from the upbeat lounge-y textures of PARKA’s best-known hit. “2X CHAMP” has a brighter sound than you might expect, though. The song leans into new wave-influenced indie pop-rock, echoing The 1975’s musical style.
The track’s lyrics are sullen as that opening scene. They dive into the misery of unrequited love, presenting romance as a brutal competition. But teem’s honeyed voice and a relaxed drum beat, combined with lush synths and guitar riffs that come at just the right time, spin the sad subject into a summery jam.
“2X CHAMP” is chill enough to listen to on a lazy afternoon, but its sonic layers prevent it from being boring. This debut proves that teem is one to watch not just behind the scenes, but as the centrepiece too.
“2X CHAMP” is out on all digital streaming platforms. You can find teem on Instagram here.