Each month, we carefully curate a selection of our favorite tracks by talented artists from Asia. We’re thrilled to present our top picks that showcase the diverse and dynamic music scene of the region.
Check out these exceptional tracks and experience the artistry of these gifted musicians that were released in April 2023.
1.IVE – I’ve IVE (South Korea)
I would be lying if I said I didn’t have my doubts about South Korean girl group IVE’s comeback this April, especially after a particularly impressive 2022, and ‘Kitsch’ really took a while for me to warm up to.
Now I can safely say, IVE has outdone themselves with I’ve IVE, an almost perfect album in which every single track shines on its own.
As of this time of writing, lead singles ‘I AM’ and ‘Kitsch’ continue to be hits that dominate music charts weekly across the world, but what really shines for me in I’ve IVE are the b-sides, especially ‘Hypnosis’ and ‘Next Page’.
In I’ve IVE, each of the six members stand out on their own, a big deal for a group who have always been maligned over the past year to be a one-woman group with Wonyoung’s overwhelming star power. It’s tough to pick out a favourite song from this album, but look out for ‘I AM’ being a strong candidate for “Song of the Year” in South Korea.
2.Valentina Ploy – PLOY (Thailand)
Valentina Ploy has been on the radar for quite some time, and even more so since her 2022 collaboration with fellow Thai musician Phum Viphurit ‘I Miss My Friends’.
In her first full-length album PLOY, she does not disappoint at all, beginning the album with a heartfelt message to her fans and listeners who have supported her so far, and really setting the tone for an album that is sure to become a go-to for many young people in their growing stages.
Tracks like ‘Shoreditch Road’ and ‘I’m OK’ are simply heartbreaking, and PLOY really brings out the heartfelt emotions from one’s teenage years.
3. Tarrkam – Bicara Masa Depan (Indonesia)
Discovering Tarrkam was such a pleasant surprise because I have not heard punk rock like this for a long long time.
With clear influences from bands like The Sex Pistols and The Clash, Tarrkam delivers ‘Bicara Mesa Depan’ with the appropriate angst and outcry of a track that Google tells me translates to “talk about the future”.
While only this track is available on Spotify, you can find the rest of Tarrkam’s album Fresh Grad on their Bandcamp page, and fans of punk rock will definitely want to catch this.
4. Leah Dou – Spring Trip (China)
Leah Dou’s Spring Trip is one of the most therapeutic albums released this year and it is simply a breath of fresh air from all the rock and electronic releases we have been hearing throughout the Mandopop scene this year.
Play this on a Monday morning, or any morning really, and you will definitely start your day on the right note.
For those unfamiliar with Leah Dou, she is the daughter of superstar Faye Wong and Chinese rocker Dou Wei, the frontman of legendary rock band Black Panther.
But if this is what nepotism gives us, please go ahead and give us more. Leah Dou really stands out on her own and has crafted a distinct sound from her music that is nothing like what her parents were known for.
Spring Trip is truly an album with endless replay value, and each time listening to it is a fresh experience that provides you with the drive to carry on.
5. Yaeji – With A Hammer (USA)
We all know Yaeji is good so I don’t really have to elaborate much. What really gets me is how she is able to sustain such a distinct sound in her music that I can recognise her work from afar, but at the same time, Yaeji is still able to surprise and bring something new to the table each time.
From the first track ‘Submerge FM’, I am immediately transported back to when I heard her 2017 track ‘raingurl’ for the first time, the sense of wonder and admiration for her sound that just makes you bob your head along, and feel the urge to sink yourself into the atmosphere that With A Hammer creates for the next 43 minutes.
Look out for her collaborative tracks ‘Ready or Not’, ‘Michin’ and ‘1 Thing To Smash’, each of which would have been strong single releases on their own.
6. Meaningful Stone – The Fifth Spring (South Korea)
Another extremely comforting song to turn to in the darkest of days.
This song makes me so so happy and it serves as a timely reminder that no matter how hard things may be, we will always pull through to see the spring that comes after the cold.
Seriously, just listen to this track! It only takes a while but it will definitely make the rest of your day.