From its origins as the solo project of guitarist Noppanan Panicharoen in 2006, Inspirative has steadily evolved into one of Thailand's most consistent post-rock bands. The line-up now boasts four additional members: bassist Amornthep Masawang, guitarist Pongpat Phaukwattana, drummer Sirichai Chanmanklakul and pianist/vocalist Wuttipong Huangpetch. The quintet established themselves on the Bangkok indie circuit through gigs at legendary indie nights like Dudesweet and Mind The Gap. This, naturally, led to the release of Floating Down Through The Clouds, their debut three-track EP whose title was inspired by the lyrics to Pink Floyd's 1983 prog-rock ballad, The Gunners Dream. This was followed by the equally stellar releases Mysteriously Awake and Memories Come Rushing Up To Meet Me Now.
Their latest offering, Inertia, Pt. 1, once again finds the five-piece in familiar post-rock territory, although this time the sound leans more towards the slow and cinematic than the furious and dramatic. The two-minute opener Impossible Backwards conjures up the image of a desolate black sand beach with the sound of lapping waves and a sombre drone. The two elements then collapse in on themselves, dissipating into one single held note that segues into the meditative expanse of Will We Meet Again? and then Station Of Midway.
Basket Count, One Throw brings a slight shift in tempo, thanks to the distinct drum patterns and gorgeous guitar lines. Loneliest Ocean harkens back to the opener with the sound of crashing waves and melancholic piano keys whereas Beach Road Lights serves up a classic Inspirative moment with a satisfying dose of pummelling guitar dissonance. Elsewhere, Sing Tee Leua Wai [What Remains] and Peun Tee Wang [Empty Space] fill the record's non-instrumental quota with Wuttipong's trademark hazy vocals. (Has anyone else noticed that it's always the songs with Thai titles that contain vocals?)
The verdict: Compared to their previous outings, Inertia, Pt. 1 is a surprisingly less dense and angsty affair. Most tracks here don't implode into a thick swirl of guitar distortion -- they're instead kept largely in tune with traditional balladry. Long-time fans might be a little disappointed that Inspirative are suddenly becoming sonically accessible, but I say, more power to them!
For fans of: Explosions In The Sky, Mogwai, M83, This Will Destroy You.
Listen to this: Impossible Backwards; Will We Meet Again?; Basket Count, One Throw; Loneliest Ocean.
THE PLAYLIST
Boyjozz (Feat. UMA) / Prog Yang
Nakhon Si Thammarat native Chaiwat Boonsoongnern is the talent behind Boyjozz, a musical project that offers up a wholesome fusion of funk, soul, synth-pop and southern Thai music. Prefaced by last year's underappreciated three-track Tumtaesuan EP, his latest single Prog Yang features traditional instruments like the khong kuu (double gong) and the familiar pleng phua cheewit ("songs for life") narrative inspired by a southern lullaby called Gai Tuen. Here, the singer-songwriter is wondering why his lover still hasn't returned home ("You've vanished/ Never missing the taste of tai pla curry"). He waits under a rubber tree until his tears fill his prog yang (a cup made out of coconut shell). Rising underground rapper Uma supplies a few supporting bars, comparing the hurt in his heart with a cut in a rubber tree.
Ex:Re / Romance
Anyone who's enamoured of UK trio Daughter and their subdued take on indie folk should find frontwoman Elena Tonra's solo project Ex:Re a melancholic delight. Her eponymous full-length debut is a breakup record that riffs on the classic "where did I go wrong?" refrain. The lead single Romance, for instance, finds her wishing that her ex would see her "as a human" and not "a slaughterhouse". Accompanied by a brooding, piano-led production, Tonra goes on to lament the dissolution of the relationship and an emotional pain that's turned physical: "Romance is dead and done… The grass is dead and barren/ And it hurts between my thighs on this side."
Lipta (Feat. CDGUNTEE) / Dai Khao (Breaking News)
The affable pop duo team up with G-Junior alumnus CDGUNTEE on Dai Khao (Breaking News), another standalone single following their collaborations with O Room39, Fongbeer and Kob The X Factor, and Miyarap. Set to bouncy keys and R&B melodies, the song is about how hearing from your former lover can do more harm than good. "Don't wanna know or hear about you… It hurts knowing/ Because I still can't move on," sings Cutto before CDGUNTEE takes over with a monologue and his signature laidback rap verse.
Mariah Carey / A No No
With Christmas right around the corner, it's getting harder to escape the monolithic force that is Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You. But don't let that distract you from the fact she's just dropped her 15th album, Caution, which means that we also get a fair share of kiss-off anthems like GTFO and, now, A No No. Featuring a sample from Lil Kim's 1997 jam Crush On You, the song sees Carey take an iconic The Notorious B.I.G. refrain and blend it with her own spicy songwriting ("Even if I was the last woman alive I would be like Ginger… Rockin' Dior 'cause it goes with my diamonds").
Kaytranada (Feat. Shay Lia) / Chances
Kaytranada's latest batch of original releases includes Chances, a collaboration with his go-to collaborator Shay Lia who previously appeared on his 2014 track Leave Me Alone (re-released as part of his 2016 debut LP, 99.9%). The disco-influenced cut boasts a smooth synth groove infused with hi-hats and Lia's soulful vocals. "When I'm on tour, I'll let you know/ And what's in store, I'll let you know," she sings, her voice radiating a rare combo of warmth and confidence. Chances arrives with two other tracks -- Nothin Like U featuring Ty Dolla $ign and the synth-laden It Was Meant 2 B.
