Best Albums

The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band - Planet Lam

The collective followed up their all-conquering fifth tour of Europe with a second album that pushes the boundaries of modern molam music. With the addition of drum machine, synthesizers and other new effects, Planet Lam is a more electronic, experimental, spaced-out, and altogether more rewarding release than their 2014 debut. We can’t wait to hear where they go next.

---

Rasmee - Isan Soul EP

The Chiang Mai-based molam singer proved she’s the real deal in 2016. This EP is only seven tracks long, but it’s packed with potential. Combining molam with blues and soul music results in songs like the stunning “Maya,” a sparse, slow and yearning folk song in which Rasmee’s captivating vocals steal the show. Read our interview with Rasmee.

---

Srirajah Rockers - Organix

We were first hooked on the Rasmee collaboration “Don’t Cry,” but the other nine dub-infused tracks here don’t disappoint. We can’t say that about to many other roots/reggae acts in Bangkok. Mellow yet rocking, the band’s frequent live shows were also a highlight of our year.

Triggs and the Longest Day - Almost Ready

These garage rockers, led by Tokin Teekanun (aka the driving force behind the Stone Free and Keep on the Grass indie festivals), have been around seemingly forever but finally released their debut album earlier this year. Blending elements of shoegaze and surf-rock, scuzzed-out singles like “Sometime Somewhere” and “Shining Eyes” sound like lost relics from the ‘80s indie underground. Totally essential.

Khun Narin’s Electric Phin Band - II

The psychedelic wedding rockers from Phetchabun province are one of the internet’s weirdest success stories. This year not only did the band play Denmark’s renowned Roskilde festival, but they released their second album on the American Innovative Leisure imprint. Filled with eight tracks of heavy riffing and clattering percussion, II is a messy, joyous celebration worthy of the world stage. Someone bring them to Bangkok, already. 

Gramaphone Children - Slice and Dice V.1

Known for his funky DJ sets and his slinky, electro-pop smarts, Jaree "Jerry" Thanapura is not a new name on Bangkok's underground music scene. His latest album under the Gramaphone Children moniker is nine tracks of intriguing synth grooves, including lead single "Move Slowly" featuring up-and-coming local singer Pyra. While endlessly funky, we also love how complex each of these songs are.

My Life as Ali Thomas - Paper

The folk-rock band led by the very talented Kanyapark "Pie" Wuttara has been doing the rounds for a few years now, but their debut album was more than worth the wait. One listen to the polished lead single, "Cordelia," and it's clear this is not just another whimsical Thai pop band with one-dimensional lovelorn lyrics. While Pie’s husky vocals and cryptic lyrics take center stage, the album also really benefits from the powerful production work of Danai Thongsinthusak, who is better known for his work with Thai heavy rock bands such as Retrospect, Sweet Mullet and Klear.

Best Singles

My Life as Ali Thomas - "Cordelia"

Kanyapark "Pie" Wuttara’s folk band sound bound for the big time with this single. "Cordelia" is the kind of singalong track you could well imagine playing from car stereos on road trips all over the world. The lyrics have an impressively cryptic quality about them (who exactly is this Cordelia who's disappeared without a trace?), but we'd argue the song's catchy guitar riff and pounding drums are equally central to its success.

Srirajah Rockers feat. Rasmee - "Don't Cry"

The Thai dub reggae band team up with rising molam singer Rasmee Wayrana. You might think reggae and molam make for a slightly weird mix, but actually we love the song's super-chill, easy-listening vibe, which is complemented by a suitably retro music video. The track's mellow, dubbed-out nature pushes Rasmee's impressive molam voice right to the front—and she's never sounded smoother, delivering her lyrics in the Northeastern dialect.   

Henri Dunant - "Nick Of Time" [feat. The Good Day Ghosts]

Henri Dunant is the alias of a former contestant on The Voice Thailand. But don’t let that deter you. This debut single sounds like nothing else on the local music scene. "Nick of Time" (feat. The Good Day Ghosts) boasts a strong trip-hop feel and reverb-soaked vocals that remind us of Lana Del Rey, only more upbeat. The high-pitched guitar sound and anthemic chorus also bring to mind Two Door Cinema Club. Such comparison points don't really do this dark and driving track justice, though.

TELEx TELEXs - "Shibuya"

This fifth single from the rising four-piece represents a big leap forward in craftmanship, with a huge synth-driven sound that blows their dream-pop contemporaries out of the water. While the song bears plenty of '80s touchstones (those synths, those booming drums and those sultry horns towards the end), there's plenty of character and confidence to suggest TELEx TELEXs are a band to watch. Speaking of confidence, we're particularly taken with singer Aom's powerful vocal performance.  

Bomb At Track - "Powerful"

You won’t find BK writing about anything even vaguely reminiscent of nu-metal very often, but we’ll make an exception for this new band. With their politically-charged lyrics taking aim at the problems inherent in Thai society (in this case, how money can help you get away with anything), a decent comparison point might be Rage Against the Machine. A powerful anthem for 2016. 

Best Gigs

Rasmee at RE 234 (Jul 1)

This whistle-stop, three-night tour of Bangkok was when we fully realized Rasmee was a star in the making. The show at the stunning R.E. 234 was a lesson in working the room into stunned awe then absolute frenzy.

Comet Records’ 4th Birthday Series (throughout July)

Bangkok's coolest underground electro label marked its fourth birthday with four gigs spread across four venues, showcasing some of the best up-and-coming acts around, from  the trip-hop sounds of Naked Astronaught and funkified offerings of Casinotone to the soaring dream-pop of Vivid Dream.

Breakbot at GMM Live House (Aug 9)

The French house producer brought the party to Bangkok. A super-friendly atmposphere, and a rare gig where everyone in the room was moving and grooving.

Of Montreal at Live RCA (Aug 9) and Blood Orange at Voice Space (Nov 25)

We could have chosen any of the stellar gigs put on by concert promoter extraordinaire Have You Heard? this year, but we’ve settled for just two. Blood Orange’s smooth, soulful and sold-out night of R’n’B gets the popular vote, but Of Montreal’s psychedelic pop showcase—complete with multiple cross-dressing costume changes—was also a sight to behold.  

Tempology at Live RCA (Aug 13)

This huge night of electronic music gathered the city’s finest experimental acts. The lineup was impressively diverse, but special shout-out goes to Ga-Pi, whose hybrid live performance blew us away.

Two Door Cinema Club at Show DC (Aug 17)

The Northern Irish indie-rockers finally made it to Bangkok after canceling last time, and it was worth the wait judging by the huge amount of Breton-striped hipsters shouting along to all the songs.

Chladni Chandi at Studio Lam (Dec 16)

The Thai band which combines psychedelic and stoner rock with Indian classical instruments made its long-awaited return to live performing after a year-long break. A jam-packed Studio Lam stood staring in awe. 

Music Trend of the Year

Molam