Song: “Mai Tong Klua”

Artist: Sky Band
Label: Parinam Music
Led by famous actor, screenwriter and director Kleur Kitti Cheawwongkul and Frank Pakachon Vo-onsri (an MC from TV show The Star), Sky Band put out a first album in 2009, produced and distributed independently. For their second album, the band has signed with indie label Parinam Music. Their first single “Mai Tong Klua” takes a simple but melodic pop line and combines it with big brass sounds for a 70s touch that works wonders with their lighthearted and humorous lyrics about life in the city during the floods.

Song: “Sen Chai” (Goal Heart Soul)

Artist: Yokee Playboy
Label: Spisydisc
Following first two singles “Collagen” and “Ar Kad” released last year, Yokee Playboy’s back with his third single “Sen Chai,” a soft and sweet pop tune composed for his first child. The lyrics both inspire and touch as he describes his feelings for his kid as the greatest achievement in his life. Not that he could have pulled it off without his catchy sound and well-crafted lyrics.

Song: Crush

Artist: Palmy Feat. Erlend Øye
Label: White Music GMM Grammy
No, you’re not hearing the latest single from Kings of Convenience, the folk-pop duo from Norway. But Erlend Øye, one half of the duo, is indeed on board for this single from Palmy. Well, just like the music and lyrics for “Crush,” Øye brings his trademark smooth, soft and beautiful pop to the Thai songstress. And don’t miss the beautiful cinematography in the MV directed by Chardchakaj Waikawee.

Song: “Fun Suan Tua” (Dream)

Artist: Barbies
Label: Smallroom
After the band Barbies led by Paopon “Tar” Thephasdin returned to the music scene with the single “Kon Wan Soos Tai” last year, the band follows it up with “Fun Suan Tua,” a much softer track. It tells the story a guy who dreams of being a khon dancer and works hard to get there. Resolutely an easy listening piece, it still manages to convey energy, in part thanks to the uplifting message it contains. And this is another highly recommended MV.

Song: “Pawinee”

Artist: Electric. Neon.Lamp
Label: Sony Music
If you’re an indie fan, you might have heard of Electric Neon Lamp, as the band from Lampang played at Fat Festival in 2010 and 2011. The band has recently gone from being an independent group to joining Sony Music Thailand. Their latest single “Pawinee,” tells the story of a guy who tries to turn back time to before he broke up, delivered with a muscled pop rock sound despite the lovey-dovey vocals.

Song: “La”

Artist: Polycat
Label: Smallroom
The energetic band from Chiang Mai, Polycat, rose to fame for their awesome synth sound. The self-avowed synth-pop band displayed all its electronic keyboard wizardry in its first single “Ta Ter Kid Ja Luem Khao.” But in their latest release “La,” they’ve seemed to have unplugged their Rolands and picked up some brass instruments, like trombones, for a more melancholic tone befitting of this end-of-relationship song.