ดึงดูดใจ Deungdutjai

Entitled simply “บทที่ 7 / Bot Tee Jet (Volume 7),” Punch’s latest release marks her 7th album in the 7 years she’s been singing professionally.

I’ve always liked Punch, really, I have, but to be honest, over the years her albums have pretty much flopped with me. Personally, I don’t like sad songs. I do admire them if there’s really strong emotion behind them, but otherwise I’m not a sad person, I don’t believe in getting upset or depressed over breakups or love romances, and I think the world would be a happier place if people just listened to more optimistic music. With Punch, it seems like the kick-off single for every one of her albums has been a really great, solid, uplifting song that gives me such high hopes for the album, then when the album finally does come out, every other song on it is slow, somber, and depressing. Every time. And every time, I cross my fingers and decide to check out her new albums anyway.

Honestly, this album for Punch was no different for me. 🙁

The title track of the album “จุดประสงค์ไม่ชัดเจน / Joot Prasong Mai Chut Jen (Unclear Purpose)” was sooo cute. It was an uplifting, upbeat song about not knowing where you stand in a relationship, but with hopes that your friend will admit that he likes you and call you a couple. The music video for it was sooo cute, Punch is looking really pretty, and I love her kind of husky voice she sings it with. I fell in love with the song, and again, I was hoping this album would be different from the others.

But once I listened to the album, it was clear it was the same. 🙁 I only liked three or four of the songs, and the rest were just mediocre.

Aside from the first track, I also really enjoyed “เคยน่ารักพอให้รักไหม / Koey Naruk Por Hai Ruk Mai (Will I Ever Be Cute Enough to Love?),” which is an easy-listening song that shows Punch’s sensitive, insecure side, and though it’s still sad, it’s still cute and has that optimistic glimmer of hope in it.

“เมาน้ำอัดลม / Mao Num Utlom (Drunk on Soda)” is also a super cute, upbeat, and humorous song whose style really fits Punch’s voice the best.

“อธิบายไม่ถูกแต่รู้สึกดี / Atibai Mai Took Dtae Roo Seuk Dee (I Can’t Really Explain It, But I Feel Good)” is another easy-listening, sweet song, about the bubbly warmth that comes with love that just makes us have to secretly smile to ourselves every time~

And that’s it. :/ The rest of the album is Punch’s usual slow, sad songs. I enjoy ballads just as much as I like faster, more energetic numbers, but do all her ballads have to be melodramatically depressing? What a downer haha. Her song “ไม่เคยเหมือนเป็นเพื่อนกัน / Mai Koey Meuan Pen Peuan Gun (It’s Never Felt Like We’ve Been Friends)” has a really nice sound, and I really like her voice in it, but just wish the meaning were a little happier.

Otherwise, “อย่าปล่อยให้ฉันฝันไปคนเดียว / Yah Ploy Hai Chun Fun Pai Kon Diao (Don’t Leave Me Dreaming Alone),” OST from her lakorn ท่านชายในสายหมอก / Tahn Chai Nai Sai Mauk, makes me happy only because it makes me think of her co-star in it, Louis Scott. Every other track on the album I don’t think I managed to listen all the way through to. :/ Sorry, Punch!

“ใช้เป็นเหตุผลได้ไหม / Chai Pen Het Pon Dai Mai (Can That Be the Reason?),” a song about putting up with pain and tears because of love and not wanting to give up and let go, is slated to be her next single. I’ll still watch the music video when it’s released and see if it changes my opinion, otherwise I think I give Punch’s latest release a 5/10. Not horrible. Not great. Just mediocre.

If you’re into sad ballads, though, don’t let my opinion stop you. If you like it, I encourage you to support the artists and purchase it legally; If you’re not living in Thailand, eThaiCD.com is a reputable online dealer who offers it world-wide – http://www.ethaicd.com/show.php?pid=71822&asso=10413 , or it is available for mp3 download on iTunes or Amazon.com 🙂

Lastly, this was completely my own opinion, feel free to disagree with me, and feel free to share your own opinions as well 🙂