Mor Lam is similar to Luke Toong in that its lyrics are all about the lives and hardships of the rural poor. The music has distinctive snappy, rhythmic vocals and a funky beat. The backing music is often provided by the Laos mouth pipe organ (khaen) made from bamboo tubes.
Good Morlam music is fast-paced, driven by the khaen, bass, organs and drums. Morlam singers are accompanied by dancers dressed in traditional Thai costume.