Title: “Pluek”

Artist: Apartmentkhunpa

Label: Sanamluang Music

We’re glad that Tul Waitoonkiat decided to bring his alternative rock band Apartmentkhunpa back to the stage after flirting with musicians like Poomjit and Yaak Lab for the past couple of years. The first single, “Pluek [Mask],”  pokes fun at our tendency to judge others by their looks in a poetic language that reminds us of Tul’s early days. Perhaps because they’re now signed to GMM Grammy’s Sanamluang Music, their rock sound has been cleaned up, with higher production values—no longer your auntie’s cluttered apartment.

Title: “Kwan Jang La”

Artist: Desktop Error

Label: So::On Dry Flower

We won’t blame you if you failed to notice that these alt-rockers released a single studio album so far, despite having formed in 2006. In fact, Desktop Error never disappeared from the live music scene, which was perhaps what kept them visible despite their lack of output. Finally, they’re releasing a new single “Kwan Jang La,” that talks about life after rain. It’s their chirpiest effort yet, or at least their most melodic, but hints of their dark rock days do appear in the song’s last third as it slowly builds.

Title: “Don’t Say”

Artist: Mindset Feat. Freddy V Southside and Preawa Yellow Fang 

Label: Thaitanium Entertainment

This new single in Thaitanium Entertainment’s third compilation really brings us back to the old Bangkok when hip hop ruled our nights. Southside’s Freddy V and his labelmate Mindset take the lead for the rap line while the sweet hook is delivered compliments of Yellow Fang’s drummer Preawa who previously sang in Yaak Lab’s electro-pop release. The result is disposable pop—these guys are no Nas or Tupac and Preawa is no Mary J Blige—but sometimes that’s what the mood calls for.

Title: “The Haunted House”

Artist: Part Time Musicians 

Label: Rats Records

Set to appear at the Have You Heard? Mini Music Festival this week (Nov 6), Rats Records’ hottest member Part Time Musicians is now launching their third single, “The Haunted House,” which turns out to be something completely different. You probably can’t imagine the fun and cheerful indie-pop like “Vacation Time” anymore since this psychedelic-infused ballad is filled with emotional guitar line supporting the lyrics of how one can be haunted by past memories. In terms of music, they’re at their most potent while lyrically, just be prepared for a little heartbreak.