Duo Lipta returns with a new album cut from fresh inspiration

After a two-year hiatus, duo Lipta are back on the scene with a new sound and a second album titled "Can U See Me?"

"We've spent the time listening to a lot of reggae, hip-hop and electronic rock and going to concerts," says Cutto, aka vocalist Arom Phohanratana-kul. "We've also been searching out the musicians who play the sounds we're most interested in."

Two cuts from the 12-track album are already receiving airplay. "Mee Chao Khong" ("I'm Taken") plays with reggae rhythms and pop while "Lom Hai Jai Khong Muea Wan" ("Still") is a straightforward love ballad.

"We experimented with disco and soul but ended up with reggae," says Cutto of "Mee Chao Khong".

"It evokes an island party ambience," adds Tan, aka Tarnrana Liptapallop, the duo's songwriter and keyboardist.

"The lyrics of the love song are sad. They talk about a man who can't stop thinking about his ex."

The Daily Xpress verdict? "Can U See Me?" is a lively album helped along by appearances from several of Thailand's leading artists, including Thaitanium's Way and Funky Wah on "Santa Claus", Piano of The Sis on "Moon Wela" (Turn Back Time), and the Peachband and ETC on "Lom Hai Jai Kong Muea Wan".

"We recorded 'Santa Claus' after a great night out at Rain's concert," says Tan.

The album's title, explains Cutto, is a question to the duo's fans.

"We want to ask them, 'Can you see me?'"

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Lipta's many lives

>> Cutto was one of the 11 new-blood singers on "Love Is Vol 1" and also contributed to Boyd Kosiyabong's "Rhythm & Boyd E1EVEN1H" album.

>> Tan wrote 2 Become 1's song "Yak Jer Khon Dee Dee Sak Khon", Jetset'er's "Jai Rai", and rapped on Funky Wah Wah's "Khwam Rak Thi Son Wai". He also produced Trai Bhumirat's "Everyday I Love You".