Song: “Chob Ah (Rock It Like It)”

Artist: P.O.P
Label: Love Is BEC TERO Music
Those eight years away from the music scene have clearly had an effect on P.O.P. While last single “Kon Tee Mai Bok Pan” followed their romantic-pop template, they really turned things on their head with “Chob Ah (Rock It Like It).” Sounding like some kind of high-energy 80s rock ballad with its driving guitars and bouncy bass line, you’d be hard pressed to pick this as P.O.P until the arrival of Nop Pornchamni’s sweet vocals. Even though it’s very different, this melodic rock number blends well with the band’s identity, and justifies why we’re so happy about their return.

Song: “Ngao Kong Fon”

Artist: Greasy Café
Label: Smallroom Records
Debut acting appearances and writing successful film soundtracks made it a big year for Apichai “Lek” Trakulpadejkrai. Now the Smallroom singer and songwriter delivers his third studio album, The Journey Without Maps. As the title suggests, the first single “Ngao Kong Fon [Shadow of the Rain]” gets the long trip started with an epic sound that’s kicked off by some urgent ukulele and strident violin before a marching drum beat takes over. The anthemic lyrics point out how relationships are like a journey where you need to relinquish self-created illusions and jealousies. Stirring and heartfelt, it’s quite a shift from his previous work, piquing our interest on where this journey is headed next.     

Song: “Wan Tam Ma Da (You Complete Me)”

Artist: Tue’sday
Label: Independent
Two years after quirky pop duo Varattha “Ple-noi” Phongthananikorn and Ontida “Pook” Komolpit first hit the music scene as Facebook sensations, they finally get round to releasing their debut single. “Wan Tam Ma Da (You Complete Me)” features an impressive backing band from the Stu-Fe family, which includes Tum Monotone on guitar, Fon from Superbaker on bass and lyrics from Fat Radio’s program director Boom, the result being a warm and polished toe-tapping pop number that’s very, very catchy.

Song: “Yu Tor Loey Dai Mai”

Artist: Singhtoe Numchoke
Label: Believe Records
After his collaboration with Stamp Apiwat earlier this year on “Chai Klang,” the ukulele king returns with his second studio album. The first single “Yu Tor Loey dai Mai” sticks to the Jack Johnson-inspired easy listening surf-pop sound that made him so popular the first time around. Echoing that chilled vibe, the sweet sounding lyrics lovingly recall a memorable party he wishes would never end.

Song: “Air # 1”

Artist: Into The Air   
Label: So: On Dry Flower
The alt-music collective that brought post-rock outfit Mogwai to Bangkok last year just launched their second compilation under the name Ghost Note II on Nov 17 at Sonic Ekkamai. It features tracks from artists like Two Million Thanks and Talkless, with the songs from those two bands already breaking into Fat Radio’s weekly top 40 chart. Another one to watch from this collection is the sweet and soft post-rock tune “Air # 1” from Chaiteap “Aok” Chunskul aka Into The Air, who is a freelance artist, DJ and the bassist for Gene Kasidit.  

Song: “Keb Kam Wa Rak”

Artist: Gene Kasidit
Label: Smallroom
The second single from the album Blonde, “Keb Kam Wa Rak” (Keep The Love Words) is a very heavily 80s-inspired electro-pop tune that has more than a touch of the Pet Shop Boys about it. Upbeat and very produced-sounding, Gene’s vocals and the infectious chorus make you want to get up and dance.