THE PLAYLIST
BNK48/ Shonichi
After having garnered a massive hype and a loyal following, rising Thai idol girl-group BNK48 now unveils their latest cut Shonichi, the third single following Aitakatta — Yak Cha Dai Phop Thoe and smash hit Koi Suru Fortune Cookie — Khukki Siangthai. Like their previous offerings, the track is based off of the original song by the band’s Japanese counterpart AKB48. Shonichi, translated into Thai as wan raek (first day), is an upbeat J-pop jam that pairs effervescent melody with innocuous lyrics about the toil and struggle of being in an idol girl-group (“Dreams born out of sweat and tears … Dance and sing like your life depends on it/It’s your passion/Don’t you forget it”).
Kylie Minogue/ Raining Glitter
As it turns out, Kylie Minogue’s first two singles Dancing and Stop Me From Falling were not just her going through a country phase. Its follow-up Raining Glitter further attests to the fact that she’s really gone down the dirt — albeit sprinkled with a good amount of glitter — road on her just-released 14th studio album Golden. “Raining glitter down on us tonight/Covering us all in magic/Never ever seen them stars so bright,” she coos atop galloping, disco-tinted production. “No more hiding in the shadows/Ooh, you look like diamonds in the light.”
Amber Mark/ Lose My Cool
From her humble start as a Soundcloud artist, New York-based Amber Mark has evolved into one of the most promising new artists whom we’re truly excited about. Taken from her 3.33am EP, Lose My Cool begins with simple piano chords and finger snaps before blooming into a tropical house production punctuated by what sounds like a man chanting in the background. “Feeling it like I just need to speak my brain/Yes I know it might seem like I’m going to cause you pain,” she soulfully intones. “Boy you got to realise/I’ve got to get all this crazy/I’ve got to lose my cool.”
Snail Mail/ Pristine
This week’s indie-rock quota goes to Snail Mail, a solo project by classically trained guitarist and singersongwriter Lindsey Jordan. Here, she’s shared with us the lead single taken from her debut full-length Lush. Set to grungey guitars, Pristine finds Jordan navigating through the insecurities of unrequited love: “Don’t you like me for me?/Is there any better feeling than coming clean?/I know myself and I’ll never love anyone else.” It’s a bittersweet indie anthem that strikes just the right balance between grit and emotion.
Lady Gaga/ Your Song
Revamp: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin has just dropped and already its first single, Your Song, is making quite an impact. Rendered here by none other than vocal powerhouse/pianist Lady Gaga, the cover version is not so much of a revamp as a faithful interpretation of the 1970 classic. Featuring some of pop’s biggest names including Coldplay and Ed Sheeran, the album is released alongside its countryleaning counterpart, Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.