Mediacorp’s CLOUD 9 music festival recently celebrated its second year with a massive international lineup. The Fifth Parlour had the opportunity to meet Japanese indie-pop artist Rol3ert (pronounced as Robert), marking his first appearance in Singapore.

Since embarking on his solo journey in 2025, Rol3ert has crafted a signature sound that seamlessly blends English vocals with J-pop melodies, a style he cheekily defined as “alternative and indie-pop”. For an artist rooted in Japan, bringing his music to a Singapore stage for the first time marked a deeply meaningful international milestone. “Honestly, I can’t thank everyone enough; it means so much to me.”

Reflecting on his musical foundations in Japan, Rol3ert noted how surreal it felt to see his work travel internationally. Fans likely recognised his viral hits such as (how could i be) honest?, Savoir, HOPE, and Boy. For him, performing at CLOUD 9 served as a beautiful testament to the power of a borderless sound, proving that music is truly universal.

This emotional sincerity is exactly what draws fans to his honest lyrics regarding loneliness and personal evolution. While he views Boy as a raw reflection of past challenges, he considers HOPE to be the definitive soundtrack for his life and future aspirations. Reflecting on his rapid rise since his second single, Meaning, Rol3ert admitted that his early days were defined by experimental curiosity. However, now, that same authenticity continues to be his primary driver.

Beyond the studio, exercising is what keeps Rol3ert grounded. He used the mental clarity and refreshment gained from his workouts to fuel his songwriting, effectively turning daily struggles and thoughts into new music.

Rol3ert also revealed that he was filming a new music video in Singapore during his visit, something fans should eagerly look forward to! Furthermore, he is preparing for a series of solo concert tours across Japan, set to kick off this November. Get updates on his future shows by following Rol3ert on his social here,

Relive Rol3ert’s performance during CLOUD 9 and more on mewatch and Mediacorp Entertainment on YouTube now!

The Fifth Parlour would like to thank Rol3ert for the interview and Mediacorp for coordinating the interview.