Showing 71 - 80 of 281
Widescreen memories
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 20/01/2019
» Ever since I embarked on this music-criticism journey some five years ago, it's always been a personal mission of mine to be as diverse as possible when it comes to the albums I choose to review. While I'd like to think that mainstream and independent/left-field artists are equally given a chance to shine in this column, there's still a whole world of music out there that needs its due recognition. Which brings me to drummer-turned-piano virtuoso Eiko Ishibashi, a celebrated Japanese musician who, thanks to US-based label Drag City, is getting her releases outside of her native Japan.
No rest for the wicked
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 13/01/2019
» Just when you thought shed put Rest to rest, the internationally renowned French chanteuse comes back strong with a five-track EP that brilliantly complements it
When good intentions backfire
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 06/01/2019
» "Sometimes/ It falls upon a generation/ To be great/ I ask all humanity now/ To rise up/ Then we can all stand/ With our heads/ Held high," begins the Chris Martin-curated Global Citizen EP 1 with opener Rise Up featuring an excerpt from Nelson Mandela's now-iconic "Make Poverty History" speech. It's an apt start given the wholesome intentions of this EP, although it feels slightly jarring to hear one of the world's greatest speeches getting paired with the euphoric synths supplied here by the Norwegian production behemoth Stargate. The song is clearly engineered for a stadium/festival setting, so casual listening might not be the best way to approach what would otherwise be a stirring anthem.
Top 20 singles of 2018 (Part 2)
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 30/12/2018
» As is tradition, we're wrapping up the year with a special two-part series featuring some of the best music to have come out locally and globally over the past 12 months. Culled from our 40-plus playlists stretching back to January, these tracks represent trends, cultural highlights and states of mind that reflect the times we're all living in (and trying to make some sense of). Without further ado, we're picking up right where we left off last week with our countdown to No.1. On that note, thank you for sticking with us until the very end -- here's to the new year of fewer whales choking on plastic bags, of nobody getting trapped in a cave, and maybe -- just maybe -- of an election.
Top 20 singles of 2018 (Part 1)
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 23/12/2018
» As is tradition, we're wrapping up the year with a special two-part series featuring some of the best music to have come out locally and globally over the past 12 months. Culled from our 40-plus playlists stretching back to January, these tracks represent trends, cultural highlights and states of mind that reflect the times we're all living in (and trying to make some sense of). We present to you this week the bottom half of our annual round-up, a vibrant batch consisting of pop mainstays like Mariah Carey and exciting newcomers like Hana Vu and Now, Now. And with that said, here's to a new year of fewer whales choking on plastic bags, of nobody getting trapped in a cave, and maybe -- just maybe -- of an election.
The light between oceans
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 16/12/2018
» From its origins as the solo project of guitarist Noppanan Panicharoen in 2006, Inspirative has steadily evolved into one of Thailand's most consistent post-rock bands. The line-up now boasts four additional members: bassist Amornthep Masawang, guitarist Pongpat Phaukwattana, drummer Sirichai Chanmanklakul and pianist/vocalist Wuttipong Huangpetch. The quintet established themselves on the Bangkok indie circuit through gigs at legendary indie nights like Dudesweet and Mind The Gap. This, naturally, led to the release of Floating Down Through The Clouds, their debut three-track EP whose title was inspired by the lyrics to Pink Floyd's 1983 prog-rock ballad, The Gunners Dream. This was followed by the equally stellar releases Mysteriously Awake and Memories Come Rushing Up To Meet Me Now.
Let England shake
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 02/12/2018
» "And especially, from every shire's end of England/ The holy blissful martyr for to seek/ That them had helpened when that they were weak." So begins Merrie Land, the second LP by The Good, The Bad & The Queen, a supergroup made up of Blur frontman Damon Albarn, guitarist Simon Tong from The Verve, bassist Paul Simonon from The Clash and Nigerian drummer Tony Allen. Titled Introduction, the album's brief opener is based on an excerpt from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales -- the perfect premise for a record concerned with the uncertain future of a post-Brexit UK.
A little thing called love
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 25/11/2018
» Has anyone even noticed that Michael Bublé has been gone for two years? Well, us neither (for some reason it feels like he's always there forever blessing us with his rendition of great American songbook classics). But, yes, he did take a little hiatus following his oldest son's illness. There was talk of him retiring, which has turned out to be simply talk because here he is with his 10th studio effort, Love, a follow-up to 2016's Nobody But Me.
Genius Knows No Gender
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 18/11/2018
» There's a certain genius to how female indie musicians Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus have banded together under the name boygenius (yes, all lowercase). The aim here, it seems, is to draw attention away from their gender that's often taken for granted in the male-dominated scene. Having met and bonded at the same tours and festivals over the years, the three artists realised that, not only do they share artistic visions, they also complement one another's talents.
Just like honey
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 11/11/2018
» In her own curated Spotify playlist "The Music That Inspired Honey", Robyn has put together more than a handful of tracks that helped will her long-anticipated sixth album into existence. Opening with the celebrated Soviet pianist Emil Gilels' rendition of Mozart's Piano Sonata No.14b In C Minor, K457: II Adagio, the playlist encapsulates her wide-ranging taste in music as it flits from the funk/soul/disco of the 70s (Gwen McCrae, George McCrae, Sylvester, Mary Clark) to a full spectrum of electronic music ranging from ambient and IDM to house and techno (Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, DJ Koze, Bicep, Roman Flügel). Listening to the record, one could almost trace all of these influences which are strewn across its nine tracks, precisely making up 40 minutes of thoughtful, unadulterated pop exhilaration.