Local band Hariguem Zaboy recently released their debut album, Thick Mink, with the adventurous indie label Panda Records. Thick Mink is an amazing album that should gain this band an international following.
From the opening song, “Breathless,” listeners will know what they’re in for throughout the 10-track album — layers of loud, dreamy guitars, slightly buried vocals with subtle but catchy melodies, and a quiet, energetic rhythm section that drives everything along at a steady pace. It’s a sound reminiscent of noisy, melodic indie bands from the 1990s like My Bloody Valentine, Dinosaur Jr. and Swervedriver.
Hariguem Zaboy keep their album fresh and enjoyable by employing different production techniques to each song. “Without Phasing” has a strange tremolo effect on the vocals, while “Medicine” has a cleaner sound with acoustic guitars and a clear, melodic vocal.
“Come in All Night” has some imaginative and experimental playing form talented guitarists Napan Pichaikool and Rungsimun Suwiruttanapast, who is also the lead singer of the band. As always, drummer Garntanop Tanjaroen and bassist Songkhun Sanguankultong lend solid support to the track.
Album singles “Anybody Feels” and “Tender Mind” represent the sound of the band well and have both done well on the Cat Radio charts.
Mixed and co-produced by indie music maverick Wannarit Pongprayoon, with some additional mixing by Jean-David Caillouet, Thick Mink is great sounding album that does justice to Hariguem Zaboy’s unique music. Anybody who loves interesting, modern indie rock should definitely check out Thick Mink. — BE