Comet Records marks its fourth anniversary with a stellar new compilation
Various Artists/ Comet Records 4 Years Compilation
It's been four exciting years since Thailand's music scene welcomed its first independent electronic music label, Comet Records. The brainchild of Jakchai Panchanon, the label is home to some of the most forward-thinking underground electro acts including Jakchai's own solo project Casinotone, Naked Astronaught, DCNXTR, MORG and Funky Wah Wah, to name but a few. To celebrate its fourth birthday, Comet Records has put out an exclusive compilation, its third following the previous releases back in 2012 and 2015.
As usual, the compilation features an impressive mix of old favourites and emerging newbies, resulting in a dazzlingly diverse record that explores and marries the many sub-genres of electronic music. The set opens with Last Day in Winter, a slice of moody electronica paired with a break-up theme courtesy of Jakchai's other side project Minus88. Then, chillwave duo MORG picks things right up with U&ME, a collaboration with none other than Vivid Dream vocalist Chatchanok "Pink" Wongvachara.
Bringing a bit of bounce to the party is trip-hop duo Naked Astronaught. Their contribution Into the Grey stands out from the rest with Oranan Tanganitanon's glacial coo and a rap verse provided by labelmate UNDA, an Atlanta hip-hop artist who later re-appears on his own track, Angles 33. Next up, Vivid Dream treats us to their lush dream-pop goodness in the form of Silence, a wistful English-language number that recalls the sound of artists like Grimes, Beach House, Glass Candy and Chromatics. "Sleeping on the sunny day/Dancing under the moonlight/Feeling inside your heart again/Wish you stand here by my side," Pink croons over the synth-driven melody.
Casinotone offers the album's most pop-oriented cuts Stuck and You. The former sparkles with a slick electro groove whereas the latter features Casinotone's go-to indie-folk singer Yanin (who, by the way, sings in flawless Japanese as if she spent her childhood in Harajuku). Elsewhere, South Korean duo Astro302 serves up catchy synth-pop jam Le Petit Prince, while Orbital XX fuses percussive elements with a grooving bassline on Gravity. Finally, Lobo Funk and Elevators conclude the set with Thai Boxing and Skin to Skin, two atmospheric tracks that flirt with the more experimental side of things.
Comet Records 4 Years Compilation is another solid release from the label that has rightfully become synonymous with Bangkok's thriving electronic music scene. The production here is wildly innovative and cutting-edge -- proof that despite whatever oppressive forces might be at play, Thailand is never in short supply of creative energy and independent spirit. Hats off to Jakchai and his crew for consistently bringing us fresh new sounds over the past four years. And on that note, happy birthday Comet Records, and here's to many more years to come. n
THE PLAYLIST
Young Man and the Sea/ Arthit Tok Tee Derm (Sunset in Kata)
With previous singles such as Kon Suan (Candide), Play Talay and Yung (Hey), Bangkok indie-folk, five-member Young Man and The Sea have proven time and again they have a unique knack for telling stories through music. A follow-up to Yung (Hey), their latest offering Arthit Tok Tee Derm (Sunset in Kata) from the forthcoming EP Wave and Wife, is an evocative soft-rock ballad that further attests to this very fact, with vocalist Wiracha Daochai reminiscing about the memories of an old love as the sun sets over the horizon of Kata beach.
Russian Circles/ Mota
On Mota, the second single from Russian Circles' upcoming sixth studio LP Guidance, the Chicago instrumental post-metal rockers offer up a sprawling sonic journey that clocks in at almost seven minutes. It kicks off with a sun-drenched, guitar-driven melody, slowly building up tension to the point of dark, surging distortion. Then the guitar crashes alongside the bass and drums in a glorious explosion, leaving a trail of demonic screeching feedback in its wake. One of the most exhilarating pieces of music we've had the pleasure of hearing this year.
Mallrat/ For Real
Referring to herself as the "Hannah Montana of the rap game," pop newcomer Mallrat makes fun and playful pop music in the same vein as Kate Nash, Lily Allen and the more recent newcomer Nadia Rose. For Real finds the 17-year-old Aussie serving up a slice of infectious jauntiness as she half-sings, half-speaks her way through a bubbly piano loop: "When you smile for real/You make me smile for real…When you're around I feel like less of a freak." This is one of those songs that puts a smile on your face as well as a spring in your step.
Two Door Cinema Club/ Are We Ready? (Wreck)
Ahead of their first Bangkok gig next week, the Irish indie trio has dropped Are We Ready? (Wreck), their first new material since the release of the 2013 EP Changing Of The Seasons. Here, the poster boys of indie-rock deliver a more mature, polished sound together with a message that, according to guitarist Sam Halliday, rebels against consumerism and commercialism ("The wars are whoring/All the stores are bored with all your money/We follow what's to come/That's what they sold to me"). The song is the first taste of their forthcoming third studio album Gameshow, due out in October.
PJ Harvey/ Guilty
Following the release of her most recent studio LP The Hope Six Demolition Project, PJ Harvey has shared with us a non-album single called Guilty. Although the song didn't make it onto said album, it's equally political in character with the lyrics addressing issues ranging from false justice to drone strikes ("Power to the predator, the Grim Reaper/Grainy little suspects running for shelter/Drones that come/Come in the thousands/But nobody asked us/If we wanted them"). n
