If you haven’t, please do check out the Honorable Mentions and other features I wrote for this year!
Top 10 T-Pop Songs
10. 4EVE – Tears
4EVE started their year with a spring break-up anthem. They have a stacked vocal line that is barely utilized. Tears finally put the skills into use, including vocals of members with rapper roles. Ballads are amazing when they go all out with a striking finale, and this is the best example this year.
9. Badmixy – DILF feat. Yui Yatyer
Badmixy, while an influencer, is building her name as an artist through her debut album. The lead single DILF feels like trolling (the lyrics are literally about… sugar daddies), but the song holds so much replay value that it is actually genuinely good. The version on streaming sites has more vocal layers which improve the song so do give it a try there.
8. MXFRUIT – Strawberry Ice Cream
MXFRUIT came through the gates swinging right from the debut. Strawberry Ice Cream is a solid synth-pop song with a (very) catchy chorus, with every element perfected. While not in the song itself, the harmonizing scene in the music video is iconic and builds the unique image of the group.
7. Bamm – Close Enough
To be honest, Bamm’s 2023 rollout isn’t the best, with lopsided singles that deviated from their signature sound. Luckily, Close Enough redeems and closes the year on a good note, pun intended. Bamm continues to sing their heartbreaks out, this time in the form of a pop-rock anthem.
6. Jeff Satur – Dum Dum
Unlike many of the tracks on this list, Dum Dum is a song built on vibes first, with other elements surrounding it. The main character here is the unsettling ambience of the first verse contrasted with the anti-drop. This is quite unique for T-Pop and even Jeff Satur himself. I would definitely like to see more of this.
5. BUS – Because of You, I Shine
Because of You, I Shine is a rare occurrence in T-Pop, both the group and song. You don’t ever see T-Pop having a group that has 12 members, and the song is a ‘throw everything into a blender’ approach. There are many pieces attached together that would easily break apart without a strong chorus, but it all somehow works so well.
4. Fourth Nattawat – Rock & Star
Rock & Star sees Fourth become a rockstar. Technically an OST sung by an actor, Rock & Star still has all the characteristics of a solid Thai band song: nostalgic, compelling, and emotional. It’s very reminiscent of Thai school bands that play in every graduation ceremony or prom night, and that nostalgic feeling really makes up the song.
3. QRRA – Miracle
Miracle is a testament to how important catchy melodies are in T-Pop. Despite what I would call generic production, the song stands out with its flawless double-punch chorus, successfully establishing a sophisticated, sleek sound. I hope they do reach the heights of their past lineup LYRA.
2. 4EVE – Life Boy
Referencing a Y2K-era Thai slang, Life Boy blends Thai melodies seamlessly with upbeat tropical house to create a festive atmosphere. 4EVE members also get into character and redefined their bratty image here. Above all, the highlight lies in the dance break where everything is all out at once.
1. Youngohm – Thatthong Sound ft. Sonofo
On rapper Youngohm’s latest album, Thatthong Sound stands out with its infused Thai-folk EDM. I’m using the advantage of the blurred lines in Thailand on what is considered pop music, just because this song is insane.
Thatthong Sound is clearly intentionally unserious. Everything about this song is nothing but fun. There is rock, rap, hip-hop, electronic, mor-lam. The rap verses are fire, but what sealed the deal is the minute-long instrumental breakdown. There’s definitely a reason why this song became a cultural phenomenon.
2023 T-Pop Overview
2023 is yet another solid year for T-Pop. The roster is expanding exponentially at this point. We have promising rookies like MXFRUIT and BUS entering the scene, and popular groups like 4EVE, PiXXiE, and Bamm solidifying their statuses. There are also a lot of other acts who did not make it here that have released amazing songs as well.
T-Pop is currently in the status of re-building itself, and a lot of characteristics are starting to solidify: the reliance on catchy choruses, the R&B influence, and simple straightforward storylines. With all of this in mind, the more upbeat poppy songs immediately stand out, and that is reflected in my Top 10 countdown as well.
Up next will be the K-Pop songs countdown, so please stay tuned.
The 555 Reviews 