Showing 1 - 10 of 48
No Child’s Play
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 22/02/2015
» American writer, comic, actor and rapper Donald Glover shows off his many layers of talent in a double-release as Childish Gambino.
TOP 20 singles of 2017
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 24/12/2017
» Congratulations! You've made it to through the year, a rather challenging one characterised by a series of unfortunate events from the rise of the Alt-Right and the Weinstein scandal to devastating hurricanes and sights of starving polar bears. We've also lost a handful of musicians along the way -- Soundgarden's Chris Cornell, Linkin Park's Chester Bennington and Tom Petty, to name but a few. Thankfully, those who are still alive and kicking have served up some of the most memorable tunes we've had the pleasure of hearing this year. Handpicked from our Playlists over the last 12 months, here are the top 20 singles that have defined the year that was. This week we're counting down from 20 up to 11 and the rest will be revealed next week. Before we close up the shop, let's once again pat ourselves on the back for this year was no child's play by any standards. May you have strength and courage to wade through Donald Trump's tweets and Prayut Chan-o-cha's tantrums in the coming year.
From his home base
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 22/09/2019
» It's not often that the success of an artist can be attributed to his/her talent alone. Without the full backing of a major label, most artists would struggle to get the sort of exposure required to bring them international recognition. Thai singer-songwriter Phum Viphurit, however, is an extraordinary exception. Signed to Bangkok's bona fide indie label Rats Records, the young singer-songwriter showed immense potential from the get-go with his 2014 English-language debut single Adore. Since then, he has delivered gem after gem, dealing in breezy folky rock perfect for a road trip to the seaside or a session around the campfire.
Miss(ed) Opportunity
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 15/03/2020
» The rise of synth-pop darling Claire Boucher, aka Grimes, has been a fascinating one.
Sip on this
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 16/06/2019
» Born and raised in Spanish Town, just outside Kingston in Jamaica, Mikayla "Koffee" Simpson became known three years ago for her viral video in which she played her acoustic guitar and sang a dedication to Olympic legend Usain Bolt. Now, the 19-year-old newcomer has finally come through with her debut EP, the five-track Rapture helmed by a panel of stellar reggae producers Teflon ZincFence, Lasanna "Ace" Harris, Frankie Music and Walshy Fire.
Top 25 Singles of 2019 (Part II)
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 29/12/2019
» As tradition dictates, we rummaged through some 200 singles we'd reviewed over the past 12 months and narrowed it down to 25. Here's what we learned in 2019: Thai fusion is still very much a go-to for most up-and-coming bands including Southern Boys and Suthep Entertainment, who both look to their roots for inspiration. This year also had its fair share of blazingly political moments, thanks to Solange, Lana Del Rey and our own rap troupe Rap Against Dictatorship. One final note, even though this list is split into two parts spreading across this and next week, these tracks are not ranked and their order is completely arbitrary in nature.
When sleaze gets slick
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 05/05/2019
» Fat White Family, for the uninitiated, are a South London group trading in all manners of classic punk depravities, rock'n'roll drug habits and songs with imaginatively risqué titles (Cream Of The Young, Is It Raining In Your Mouth?, Bomb Disneyland). Led by founding frontman Lias Saoudi, the band is notorious for their outrageous live gigs, where shocking antics and nudity are not uncommon. As a band, this collective transgression is the unique selling point upon which their 2013 debut album Champagne Holocaust and its follow-up Songs For Our Mothers hinged. It's also the very factor that contributed to "the sort of classic stereotypical drug meltdown", as Lias puts it in his recent interview with Noisey, which led to them getting dropped by US-based Fat Possum Records.
Footloose and fancy-free
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 17/03/2019
» Over the past decade, Beirut's Zach Condon has been a go-to guy for what I like to refer to as "speciality indie rock". This is just a fancy way of saying that the music is unlike your typical indie sound. Beirut are masters when it comes to injecting world music elements into their repertoire, which has accumulated into a sizeable discography since their 2006 debut Gulag Orkestar. And although the boys may have faltered somewhat with previous effort No No No, they're back stronger than ever with their latest, Gallipoli.
Portrait Of An Artist
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 06/10/2019
» "I just don't wanna be back in this place again/ I mean, I done cried a little/ Tried a little, failed a little/ I don't wanna do it again," Brittany Howard confesses on History Repeats, a funky opener to her solo debut Jaime. Built on acid jazz and neo-soul groove, the song bustles with the genre-blurring spirit of her former band Alabama Shakes and her own irreverent energy. Singing those words, Howard sounds empowered and energised like a weight has been lifted. "History repeats and we defeat ourselves/ Come on everybody, one more time again," before you know it, the song turns into an infectious anthem, leaving in its wake a glimpse into her self-discovery that would go on to define the rest of the album.
Small things considered
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 23/06/2019
» In much the same way that eyes are said to be the window to the soul, band names give us a glimpse into the collective personality lurking behind each group. And as far as Thai band names are concerned, they can range from prosaic (Solitude Is Bliss, My Life As Ali Thomas) and whimsical (Apartment Khunpa, Charblues, Gym and Swim) to absolutely outlandish (Big Ass, Calories Blah Blah). For Sakon Nakhon-based trio Junlaholaan, names represent a curious juxtaposition where two incongruous concepts (jun, micro, and holaan, enormous) coexist to convey a deeply philosophical message. Yes, we are but a tiny speck in the universe -- the band seems to be saying -- but at the same time, a butterfly in Brazil could also cause a tornado in Texas, couldn't it?