THE PLAYLIST

Palmy/ Mae Giew

Thailand’s bohemian singer-songwriter Palmy shared the rollicking single Nuad late last year and now she’s following that up with Mae Giew, which marks the second cut from her forthcoming fifth record, PALMY 5. The song features an interpolation of Suntaraporn’s folk classic Rum Wong Giew Khao and a khaen (traditional bamboo mouth organ) solo from renowned musician Choomchon Suebwong. As for the lyrics, Palmy goes in for self-empowerment, singing about having the strength to move on from failure.

Khruangbin/ Friday Morning

The Texan trio Khruangbin (“airplane” in Thai) draw their musical inspirations from soul, psychedelia, as well as far-reaching global sounds that include vintage Thai funk. Friday Morning, their latest offering and a closer from their recent second album Con Todo El Mundo is a near seven-minute track wrapped up in languid jazz-inflected groove and nebulous vocals. According to the band, the song is about “jumping into love”, and the feeling of vulnerability that comes with it — a useful bit of information considering the vocals don’t really give that much away.

Rhye/ Song For You

Song For You is the latest cut to join the ranks of new singles trickling from Rhye’s forthcoming sophomore record Blood, a follow-up to their 2013’s stunning Woman. Preserving their trademark low-key R&B/ adult contemporary vibes, a pairing of Michael Milosh and Robin Hannibal further slide in elements of jazz and scrumptious swells of horns. “I’ll play this song for you/Mmm, I make mistakes/I know things break/ Hear me love you/Let me love you,” Milosh implores in the delectably androgynous voice that would have you itching to put on some Sade afterwards. In related news, the LA-based duo are set to return to Bangkok later this May, following their Thai debut performance at Wonderfruit Festival back in 2015.

Franz Ferdinand/ Lazy Boy

Always Ascending, Franz Ferdinand’s first studio output in five years, has just dropped and here we’re treated to its latest taste called Lazy Boy. Arriving on the heels of title track and Feel the Love Go, the track sees the Scottish five-piece serving up plenty of pliable basslines and the quintessentially foot-tapping guitar riffs. “I’m a lazy boy … Always be a lazy boy/ Lazy in the evening boy/I’m a lazy boy that loves you,” Alex Kapranos applauds his own indolence while potentially alluding to the famous furniture brand.

Underwater Boys/ Everyone You Know

This week’s new band of the week goes to Brighton siblings Nick and Tom Klar, aka Underwater Boys. Their single, Everyone You Know, will have fans of Tame Impala screaming in delight (or disgust, depending on the kind of fan they are). Built on swirling guitar riffs, the track offers up a slice of hazy, lo-fi psychedelia that complements vocalist Nick’s slightly pitched vocals. “It’s your love that’s filling me with dread,” he laments. “Everyone you know/ Will disappear like gold.”