Showing 1 - 10 of 19
Go further west
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 23/02/2020
» Throughout their decades-spanning career in the music biz, Pet Shop Boys have always operated within the realm of sophisticated synth-pop that advocates varying degrees of dancefloor abandon. For lyricist Neil Tennant and composer Chris Lowe, however, it's not just about the allure of club culture or pure hedonism. From day one, social consciousness gets woven into the sonic fabric of their music. "In a West End town, a dead-end world/ The East End boys and West End girls," Tennant sings about the class and wealth gap on their 1984 debut single West End Girls.
Still hanging around
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 04/08/2019
» "Life is short, I can't spend any more time on an airplane playing in front of people who have no idea who I am. It doesn't feel spiritual anymore. I'm ready for a more intimate life," explains Swedish indie-pop songstress Lykke Li in her recent Vogue interview in which she was asked whether she was planning to retire like she'd previously mentioned on her social media post. As it turns out, not only is she not retiring, Li's co-organising the inaugural edition of YOLA DÍA, "a festival for people who hate music festivals" celebrating strong women in music set to take place in LA next Sunday.
Setting it off
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 14/07/2019
» From its humble start lurking in the shadows of J-pop to partially dominating the globe, the unstoppable power of K-pop has been fascinating to witness. Today, in the hazy wake of the Gangnam Style craze, the genre has grown to have its own annual convention, KCON, which is aimed to celebrate South Korean culture at various locations around the world. In North America, K-pop boy bands and girl bands are being received with open arms. Groups like seven-member boyband BTS have even gone so far as to win 2017's Billboard Music Award for Top Social Artist, beating pop royalty like Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande.
Cut above the rest
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 12/05/2019
» We first heard the name Cut The Crab back in 2014 when their single Mai Mee Kam Tob (Without Doubt) was featured in the Future Sound Of Bangkok's envelope-pushing debut compilation. Besides being one of the most forward-thinking records of that year, the compilation also gave us a sample of what local talents were capable of. Along with eclectic artists ranging from DCNXTR and Gramaphone Children (Jaree Thanapura) to Nolens.Volens. and Plastic Section, Cut The Crab stood out among the gifted bunch as a highly promising newcomer with a keen ear for electro-pop brilliance. Even though the band hasn't been exactly prolific over the past few years, the trio-turned-duo are now back at it with the release of their self-titled debut EP, a six-track collection that's been nearly half a decade in the making.
More play, please
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 21/10/2018
» While a compilation of cover songs is not an earth-shattering concept by any stretch of the imagination, a good one does have the power to bridge the gap between eras and connect/re-connect generations of artists as well as listeners. Conceived in 2009 by the Thai media conglomerate GMM Grammy to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Play Project gave rock-leaning artists a chance to cover their favourite tunes in their own playful style. Its first edition saw the likes of Bodyslam, Potato, Clash and Paradox reinterpreting a range of Thai pop classics including Bird Thongchai's Sia Dai, Mai Charoenpura's Sia Jai Dai Yin Mai and Nantida Kaewbuasai's Lakorn Chaak Sud Tai.
Remember her name
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 07/10/2018
» "Maybe this the album you listen to in your car/ When you driving home late at night/ Really questioning every god, religion, Kanye, bitches" Noname knowingly begins in the opening salvo of Self. And when she continues to quip, "The baby ain't really yours, this really for babies teething/ And chicken wings under-seasoned/ Y'all really thought a bitch couldn't rap huh? Maybe this your answer for that," the tone for her second studio outing, Room 25, is officially set.
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 the Ashes
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 05/11/2017
» On their sophomore LP, the French-Cuban sisters return with a collection of sublime songs about resistance and resilience with a globalist slant