JoySauce Radio: Songs for your Thanksgiving Playlist
From a K-pop comeback to the indie pair of our dreams, here's our playlist for keeping dancing through the holidays
Words by Anjana Pawa
JoySauce Radio: Consider JoySauce Radio our own personal song recommendations—from the tunes and videos our writers love to DJ-produced mixes of dance floor bangers—all from Asian and Pacific Islander artists around the world.
As we begin to wind down for the holidays and everything feels a bit slower, colder, and a bit stagnant, it’s important to remind ourselves we must continue moving. This month’s new releases are dancey, energetic, and will put us back on our feet right before a well-deserved holiday rest. From the return of K-pop sensations Stray Kids, with their vibrant rock track "Megaverse," to the enchanting and heartwarming collaboration between two well-loved indie singer-songwriters, this playlist is curated to uplift spirits and keep the energy flowing.
“LALALA” by Stray Kids
These fifth-gen rockstars are back, and they have us bobbing our heads back and forth once again with this energetic rock track. Stray Kids have left an indelible mark on the K-Pop world since their debut with multiple million-seller albums, and this latest comeback proves that they won’t be slowing down any time soon. The band self-produces their tracks with the in-group production team called 3RACHA, which includes members Bang Chan, Han, and Changbin. This song encompasses their unmissable sound while still adding new, unique elements.
“A Night To Remember” by Beabadoobee and Laufey
Laufey and Beabadoobee, the two Wasian princesses of the indie singer-songwriter scene, have come together to create this beautiful melody. The two artists have similar methods of writing lyrics but differ a bit in their musical styles—Laufey’s music has a jazzy feel, whereas Beabadoobee’s is more pop-like. When the two styles merge with the singers’ lyrical capability, it becomes the collaboration of a lifetime.
“don’t miss me too much” by Thuy
One of our favorite Vietnamese American artists is back with a new EP, and “don’t miss me too much” sits perfectly at the end of the three-song run. It’s a bit different for Thuy, who is known for her soft melodies and lyricism. This song has energetic beats and is reminiscent of something you’d hear at a get-together, or in the club on a Saturday night. It belongs right at the top of your party playlists.
“Screen Time” by Epik High ft. Hoshi
To commemorate their 20-year anniversary, the Korean rap trio Epik High put out this incredibly fun track featuring SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi. The group’s first album was released October 2003 and the trio are still making music together today. Speaking more on the inspiration of "Screen Time," Tablo shared in a press release for the song, "Someone once said to me that the screen time feature on your phone measures how badly you wanna be numb. One day I was shocked to see that my daily screen time was over 12 hours, so I started writing random thoughts to convince myself there is a problem...and then it turned into a song."
“Don’t Look Down” by Jai Wolf ft. BANKS
Bangladeshi American EDM producer Jai Wolf is back with another track featuring indie singer BANKS. You’ll know Wolf from his hits like “Indian Summer” and “Starlight,” but his tracks have an unmistakable sound. It’s present on “Don’t Look Down,” and it feels almost nostalgic to hear his reminiscent production on a new track. As the opening notes crescendo into the drum beats, you know you’re in for a musical ride.
Published on November 22, 2023
Words by Anjana Pawa
Anjana Pawa is a Brooklyn-based culture reporter who regularly covers music, entertainment and beauty. You can find her on Twitter at @apawawrites.