ดึงดูดใจ Deungdutjai

Let’s kick off the album review section, shall we? 😀

There hasn’t been many new releases recently; everything’s just been best-of or compilation albums except for Kangsom the Star’s debut, so I guess he gets to be the first on the chopping block! 😛 Which is good, cause it’ll get me out of my comfort zone music-wise. I’ll admit, I’m not a big fan of the Star (after season 4, at least), or any of Thailand’s gratuitous singing contest shows. I just feel like there’s TOO MANY of them, the seasons happen too often, and lately now EVERYONE on the show gets a recording contract, so it defeats the purpose of a contest to begin with. I feel like there’s so many solo artists running around with “The Star” tacked on to the end of their names, I can’t keep them straight. (Seriously, you wouldn’t believe how often I’ve mixed up Gun the Star and Kangsom). So much so that it makes me not want to listen to any of them because I lump them all together as being just mediocre. But, for the purpose of this review and the lack of any other new releases, I checked out Kangsom the Star’s debut album “24.7” and gave it a shot, and I was actually pleasantly surprised to find it’s a pretty solid album.

The first song on the album is his single “I Love Your Smile“. I really like this song, it’s my favorite of the whole CD. I love the beat, the catchy tune, and the lyrics are super cute. Although does this song remind anyone of any other song? The tune sounds so vaguely familiar to me, but I can’t put my finger on it, so I’m not sure if it’s just my love for whatever song this one reminds me of bleeding onto this one, but. Regardless, great opening to the album.

Of course, Kangsom’s debut single “รักเธอ 24 ชั่วโมง / Ruk Tur Yi Sip See Chua Mohng (Loving You 24 Hours)” is on the album as well, along with several other catchy songs combining hip-hop and pop with with sweet lyrics like “รักแท้ในใจเธอ / Ruk Tae Nai Jai Tur (True Love in Your Heart),” “หัวใจจะวาย / Hua Jai Ja Wai (I’m Going to Have a Heartattack),” and “Mr. Romantic” to get your toes tapping and your grove on~ Though the engrish in “Mr. Romantic” makes me laugh to the point where I can’t take the song seriously anymore, it still adds that innocent charm to it.

Are you a fan of the more slower numbers? Not to worry, Kangsom includes a share of sad and romantic love ballads to sate your appetite for sap with his tracks “รักเท่าเดิม / Ruk Tao Derm (Equal Love)” and “เต็มใจ / Dtem Jai (Willingly).”

His track “คนเลิกกันไม่ทำแบบนี้ / Kon Lerk Gun Mai Tum Baep Nee (People Who Are Broken Up Don’t Act Like This)” really stood out to me as being unique because I like the way it starts off as a slow piano number, then escalates into electronic beats and guitar which I really felt was a nice contrast, but Kangsom’s voice didn’t thrill me in this song. It was too high-pitched for his vocal range, I think, and while he can hit the high notes, I don’t want to hear a whole song of him singing like someone kicked him in the nuts.

Ending the album is his track “ซ้ำๆคำนี้ / Sum Sum Kum Nee (Repeating This Word),” which is a nice chill, upbeat acoustic number that’s a great way to cap off the release.

All in all, I gotta say it’s not bad, Kangsom. The only song I absolutely couldn’t stand was his single “คนไหนโสด / Kon Nai Soht (Anybody Single?)” ft. Dome the Star. I’m sorry, I just cannot get into this song hahaha. Dome’s voice seems too high and weak to sing fast, upbeat songs like this, and it doesn’t meld with Kangsom’s deeper singing voice and rap. The music video kills me too, because here they are singing a song about how they can’t find someone to love them, while the whole video they’ve got girls, boys, everyone just mobbing them. While funny, to me it seemed a little pretentious and contradictory to the lyrics.

Buuutttt…. All in all, I give Kangsom’s “24.7” a solid 7/10. Not bad for a debut release, especially from a record agency who gives off the impression of mass-producing solo artists and not putting much effort into them. So if you’re a fan of Kangsom or the hip-pop genre of music, I think this album is worth at least checking out~ 🙂

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 world-wide shipping – http://www.ethaicd.com/show.php?pid=71551&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 in the comments below! 😀