Music Rewind 2023: Best of T-POP

Carol Maximo for THP

content savvy writer; also known as "the PR-girl" 📍Seoul🇰🇷

Did we really wrap up 2023 already?! Time certainly flies when you’re having fun, and we’ve had a blast listening to T-POP this year. 🎉 2023 was a strong year for Thai music, surging in global popularity, showcasing the country’s diverse potential and unique sound. And this is only the beginning of the thriving T-POP phenomenon. We know there’s so much more to come from Thailand in the upcoming years. But for now, let’s take a look at some of our favorites from 2023. And yes. The list is definitely non-exhaustive because we simply just could not include 100+ releases in this article, no matter how much we wanted to. 🥺

Our Favorite T-POP Debuts

LYKN

You know we’ve followed the boys’ journey from the very beginning as William, Lego, Tui, Hong, and Nut went above and beyond during Project Alpha. The show that formed one of our favorite groups from 2023, LYKN. Following ‘May I?’ their debut track from May, they released a total of four singles this year, all being a hit rather than a miss. And ‘แอบรักไม่ทำให้ใครตาย (NO WORRIES)’ even comes with a short film that we would be more than happy to watch even as a full-length movie or series. If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out our interview with LYKN. We guarantee you’ll also fall in love with all five of them. 🐺

BUS

Looks like we have a thing for survival shows… 👀 BUS was formed through 789 SURVIVAL and made its debut with the song ‘Because of You I Shine.’ A very bright and cute track with a title that also represents the group’s name. Although they only made their debut in the last month of the year, we are sure the twelve-member boy group is certainly one to watch in 2024.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUS:
INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | TIKTOK | X | YOUTUBE

Our Favorite Thai Albums

The Secrets Of The Universe by NANON

This is such a colorful album, we can’t move on! Although the twelve songs are all pretty diverse and unique on their own. Standing right next to each other, the tracklist comes together as one complete story. There’s something very picturesque about it. It’s filled with ups and downs and distinct emotions. A journey we love jumping on again and again, even if we are still not able to solve The Secrets of the Universe. But as NANON sings, it might be “something I don’t need to know.” (Also, who got their hands on the limited edition boxset? We also need one!) 😍

OMW! by CDGuntee

We dived deep into his story and journey to this album earlier this year with CDGuntee. And although it’s been months, it’s still playing on repeat. OMW! is filled with personal pieces and a mix of genres and emotions. All impressive in a different way, blending into a seamless tracklist that just simply has it all. We are ready to hear more in 2024! 💿

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CDGUNTEE:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

Our Favorite T-POP Singles

‘Black Tie’ by Jeff Satur

There’s not a single coin in this world with enough flippable sides to help us decide which Jeff Satur song to include on our list… You already know we are a bit biased, but regardless it’s undeniable that he is breaking barriers in the music industry and levels up with each of his releases. We ended up selecting ‘Black Tie’ for our best of T-POP list because it went beyond the music industry. It’s a hard-hitting banger that breaks through fashion and social norms just as much. Iconic in many ways. 🪐

‘Tip Toe’ by HYBS

Honestly, HYBS never misses. 💁‍♀️ The duo’s signature laidback (maybe a bit sensual here and there 😜) soft pop-R&B sound just hits the spot every single time. They just bring a ✨VIBE✨ that feels both fresh and nostalgic. And sucks you in within seconds. So yes, we are definitely “in the mood | We can take it to the moon” on tiptoes. 👀

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HYBS:
INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

‘เป็นไรมั้ย (Would You Mind?)’ by Daou Pittaya

Although we had a “goodbye party” with LAZ1 this spring, that didn’t mean complete silence from the members. ‘เป็นไรมั้ย (Would You Mind?)’ is Daou’s solo debut, and saying it puts us in our feels every single time is an understatement. The soulful vocals, the slow burn melody, the captivating lyrics, the MV… there’s not a single thing about this track that we are not in love with. And on a side note, you might also want to check out his show with Offroad (another LAZ1 member), Love in Translation. It’s okay, thank us later. 😏

Dove Cameron Slays With Another Lethal Weapon

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DAOU PITTAYA:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY | X

Our Favorite Thai OST

‘เอาเลยมั้ย (Let’s Try)’ by Khaotung Thanawat

for Only Friends

Besides playing one of the main roles, Khaotung Thanawat also jumped on the soundtrack for GMMTV’s drama, Only Friends. It’s certainly not the first time we see him thriving as a singer, but ‘เอาเลยมั้ย (Let’s Try)’ is simply just a standout piece. This song has everything, allowing Khaotung to very clearly showcase how broad his talent actually is. Masterpiece.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KHAOTUNG THANAWAT:
INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | X | GMMTV RECORDS

‘รักแรก (First Love)’ by Nont Tanont

for My Precious

This song lives rent-free in our heads. Among those who have the tiniest interest in Thai pop culture, there’s not a single soul who doesn’t know the verse stating with “เธอสบายดีไหม | เป็นคำถามที่ยังคงวนอยู่ซ้ำๆ” (“ter sà-baai dee măi | bpen kam tăam têe yang kong won yòo sám sám”) by heart. Whether they saw My Precious or not. Whether they speak Thai or not. And that says it all. 💁‍♀️💕

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NONT TANONT:
INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | X | LOVEiS YOUTUBE

And that’s officially a wrap on some of our favorite T-POP releases of 2023! There were definitely a lot more songs from Thailand that we loved. And we know we are not alone with that, so honeybees, make sure to let us know who else made it to your best of T-POP list on X or by joining the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.🫶 We can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store for us.

What's Your Reaction?

Excited

Happy

In Love

Not Sure

Silly

bettinamiski