I first heard of Su San from the singer-songwriters circles in Klang Valley. It was a curious username on social media, @susanwithspace – and when the name finally made sense to me it was probably when we met online via a project that she was coordinating, that I worked together with her.
Anyhow, soon thereafter I started paying more attention to her music. I heard some of her tracks but it was only with this latest release that her music struck me even more than usual.
The 4-track EP sweetdark. at 14 minutes and 29 seconds manages to build a small sonic world that is both claustrophobic and welcoming at the same time.
The opening track cigarette and cider takes it’s sweet time before the drums come in and with just a bit more time introduces jazzier chords that take it into an almost 1994 Aaliyah world instead of the dark sounds that Su San is more associated with.
Track 2 hottest girl in the closet, has the whole conversational confessional post-Taylor Swift. There are nice layered vocal textures and the melody is harmonized and more vocals lace the song with ear candy.
By the time we reach track 3, undo me it goes back into heavier synth and drum vibes as Su San’s shares even more of her story.
The closing track,break a beautiful thing sets the mood with the chords before Su San sings the shades of her relationship to us.
All in all, this proves to be an interesting EP for fans of pop music who like a tinge of sensuality and mystery served as a shot of musical espresso in four sips.
Is this EP for everyone? Perhaps not. But I know that more people need to listen to Su San.
Rating: 4/5
It might or might not be available here (because she did mention she might take if off bandcamp): https://susanwithaspace.bandcamp.com/album/sweetdark
About Su San
Su San is a Malaysia-based independent cinematic electro dark pop artist, songwriter, music producer, as well as an advocate for creative wellness. She is also the creator of Room 201 Podcast where she talks about all things creative with art practitioners from across the world.
Her music is an electronically infused blend of dark pop with haunting lyrics, inspired by contemporary artists like FKA Twigs, Sevdaliza, Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, and Chagall, and poets like Savannah Brown, Sylvia Plath, and Ocean Vuong.
In 2021, Su San was honoured with the prestigious Chevening Award 21/22. This scholarship allowed her to pursue her postgraduate studies in MA Songwriting and Production at the University of South Wales, Cardiff. Su San was also selected to be on the BBC Horizons Launchpad programme in 2022 by BBC Horizons and Arts Council of Wales.
In 2024, Su San’ s collaboration with Luna Carina was featured twice on BBC Music Introducing. That same year, she was one of two songwriters selected to represent Malaysia at the prestigious Asia Songwriting Camp held in Bangkok.
Su San made her international stage debut at Music Lane Festival Okinawa 2025, where she also spoke at the “Asia Songwriting Camp” panel. Her recent highlights include performances at the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival 2025, Emerge Festival MY 2025, and AXEAN Festival 2025 in Bali, where she shared stages with celebrated regional and international acts.