II

Named for the double-necked, pear-shaped lute that serves as its lead instrument, this popular Central Thailand combo plays wild instrumental versions of regional pop hits. Running his phin through an array of effects pedals, Chaiyana Sonpoh unspools deliriously melodic solos alongside multiple percussionists. Specializing in extended medleys like "Thang Jai Thang Jao" and laidback garage-psych ballads like "Phua Kao," the band provides party music for raucous second-line parades down rural byways, as captured on this album recorded in an open field.