will hyde and Stephanie Poetri have dropped their new collab single titled ‘Better Without Me’ via Ostereo Limited. From the opening moments it settles into a warm, immersive groove that feels both intimate and expansive, the kind of song that immediately pulls you into its orbit. The production leans into subtle textures and layered atmosphere, creating a soundscape that feels handcrafted rather than over-polished. It is the sort of song that makes you pause whatever you are doing for a second just to let the mood wash over you.
What really elevates the track is its sense of emotional restraint. Instead of pushing for a huge explosive hook, the song builds patiently, letting its melodies breathe and evolve. The vocals drift through the mix with a soft confidence, giving the impression that every line matters. It feels reflective without becoming heavy, nostalgic without sounding dated. That balance is a tricky thing to pull off, yet the song handles it effortlessly.
By the time the final moments arrive, the track leaves behind the feeling of having experienced something quietly special. It is the kind of indie gem that grows stronger with each listen, revealing new details in the instrumentation and arrangement every time you come back to it. In a world full of songs fighting for attention, this one stands out by simply being sincere, atmospheric, and beautifully understated.
About ‘Better Without Me’
Sonically aligned with the heartfelt intimacy of Keshi, d4vd, and Jeremy Zucker, the melodic warmth of LANY and Lauv, and the atmospheric textures of Øneheart and Joji, “better without me.” sits at the intersection of Southeast Asian indie-pop and global alt-pop sensibilities.
The song opens with tender, clean electric guitars and Stephanie Poetri’s effortless ad-libs before will hyde delivers a yearning, emotionally raw first verse. Stephanie responds with dynamic vocal phrasing before both artists converge on a warm, swelling chorus. A shuffling drum pattern and swaying guitar motif create a floating, almost weightless atmosphere — mirroring the song’s central tension.
At its core, “better without me.” is a breakup song rooted in kindness and self-awareness — the painful realisation that sometimes love means letting go.
will hyde explains:
“I wrote ‘better without me’ as an acoustic song about feeling like a burden in a relationship. You can love someone and also realise that feeling like a burden isn’t healthy for either person. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is walk away so you can both grow. Working with Evan Lo (Flawed Mangoes) and Nick Cassidy made it feel like you’re floating — which is exactly how the song feels emotionally.”
Stephanie Poetri adds: “When I first heard the demo, I immediately understood why will thought I’d be the right collaborator. I could already hear myself harmonizing with him — writing my verse felt really organic.”
“better without me.” marks a meeting of two distinct yet complementary voices in contemporary indie-pop — intimate, cross-border, and built for global audiences.
About the Artists
will hyde (Melbourne, Australia) has built a reputation for emotionally direct songwriting and high-profile collaborations across Southeast Asia. His music has charted for eight weeks on the Thailand Viral Chart and reached Apple Music Korea’s Top 100. Previous collaborators include YEW, YENTED, MRCH, Keenan Te, Patrick Brasca, Peder Elias, Elijah Woods, Øneheart and Flawed Mangoes.
Stephanie Poetri, one of Jakarta’s most successful global exports, broke through with “I Love You 3000,” amassing over 425 million streams worldwide and earning multiple awards and international chart placements.
Featured image by will hyde.
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/iamwillhyde
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniepoetri