AVNMEDIA.ID -  Singapore-based close-harmony vocal trio The Sugar Bees today released their latest single, “Man on the Moon,” in an homage to the timeless musical trope of lovesick crooning.

This is The Sugar Bees’ first true original track (but their second moonsong release), as their debut featured a reimagined arrangement of a classic. 

“Man on the Moon” introduces a mischievous figure who receives the wishes, pleas, and laments of lovers everywhere but pays none of them any heed.

It is sung from the perspective of a lonely lover, who you can imagine leaning against a windowsill, gazing woefully at the moon and casting blame across the sky for an as yet unrequited love. 

Featuring The Sugar Bees’ signature three-part harmony, the melody swings in an upbeat tempo, driven by the steady rhythm section and accompanied by lyrical piano accents.

The clarinet lines, improvised in the studio and performed with the grit of a bemoaning lover, add a gravely infectious groove. 

The concept came to one of the trio’s members, Siti Nur Iman, who sings the melody in this piece and led many parts of the songwriting.

“When I found myself humming this tune, I brought it to the girls because I knew there was a nuanced flavour to this ‘man on the moon’ imagery we could draw out together. There were a few iterations of the lyrics and I’m proud of where we eventually landed,” said Iman. “One of my favourite phrases actually escaped us for a while: the part where we sing ‘All I need is a spoonful of you’ as if referring directly to our elusive lover. With the way its accompanying melody progresses, it adds a more romantic and idealistic dimension outside of us complaining about the man on the moon.”

Sneha Menon, another Bees member, remarked on the timelessness of the song:

“It captures the style of music that’s been a big focus for us for nearly 7 years – a feel that’s reminiscent of 1930s jazz trios and a theme that’s relatable, humorous, and fun.”

Pictured (left to right): In studio with Yap Ting Wei, Sneha Menon, Marielle Solano, Siti Nur Iman, Kenzo Nagari/ HO to Avnmedia.id

“Recording this was such a thrilling process. We were in the studio with some of the best musicians in Singapore and had the privilege of watching the vision come to life in ways completely unexpected – all owed to the finesse and interpretations of everyone who joined us,” added The Sugar Bees’ final member Marielle Solano.

The recording features Justin Ng on clarinet, Lee Ann Gie on piano, Kenzo Nagari on guitar, Eugene Chew on bass, and Yap Ting Wei on drums.

It was recorded in PK Studios with sound engineer Ian Lee, and the final version was mixed and mastered by Corey Dunn.

“Man on the Moon” is releasing on 25 September 2025 at 8pm Singapore time, and will be available on all major streaming platforms (including Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp). 

About The Sugar Bees

The Sugar Bees is a vocal trio formed in the summer of 2018, when three great friends (Siti Nur Iman, Sneha Menon, and Marielle Solano) discovered a shared fascination with exploring music through close harmonies. Since then, the group has honed their vocal chemistry into a seamless, sweet sound that feels simultaneously timeless and contemporary. 

Listening to The Sugar Bees is like leafing through a well-worn songbook of influences: the playful intricacy of The Boswell Sisters, the lyrical wit of Stephen Sondheim, the melodic drive of The Beatles – and tucked between those pages, the Bees’ own voice emerging. Their repertoire draws from a vast spectrum of styles, each performance landing somewhere between reverence for the past and invention for the future. 

Pictured (left to right): Marielle Solano, Sneha Menon, Siti Nur Iman/ HO to Avnmedia.id

As they continue exploring the range of their music, they are now focused on putting out more originals and taking on gigs that bring joy – both to them and audiences everywhere.

The Sugar Bees have performed extensively in Singapore’s live music scene, including at events presented by The Esplanade (including the inaugural show at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre), Sofar Sounds, and the Singapore Night Festival.

In 2024, they released their debut single “Moonlight Saving Time” (popularised by Blossom Dearie). They are usually joined by their good friend and guitarist Kenzo Nagari, and occasionally play with larger bands. (jas)