Sunju Hargun unveils first chapter of debut album ‘The Golden Triangle’

Sunju Hargun has announced ‘The Golden Triangle (Chapter One)’, the first half of his debut album, set for release on March 1 via Siamese Twins Records.

As the label’s first-ever solo album, this project reflects Sunju’s artistic vision, blending sound, history, and ritual into a carefully crafted experience.

Developed over two years at Bangkok's TMM Studio, he describes it as a "personal cartography", mapping his sonic explorations through collaborations and an immersive creative process.

Blending tribal, experimental, deep techno, and ambient elements, the album channels Thailand’s sonic heritage through a contemporary lens.

Sunju draws inspiration from the rhythms of Phlaeng Luk Thung (often known as Thai country music, blending traditional instruments and sounds with contemporary elements), weaving haunting percussive patterns that defy conventional structures.

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Reflecting on the journey, Sunju shares, “2023 was a formative year for music production. I felt the need to be a bigger nerd, have fun, listen, and learn again from other artists—the way they approached arranging, recording, using different microphones, and experimenting with local instruments through modular and FX pedals opened many portals in my head. I don’t know how to describe it, but it felt raw and real.”

Opening track 'The Golden Triangle' sets the tone with hypnotic rhythms and layered instrumentation inspired by traditional Thai sounds.

'Lens of Time', featuring GiGi FM, blends organic textures with haunting vocals and unconventional percussive elements. As GiGi FM explains, 'We drew on traditional Thai instruments from the studio, blending them with live recordings of my voice—both for singing and percussive elements. Poetry added another layer, grounding the track with an emotional, almost narrative dimension.”

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'Mekong', in collaboration with Konduku, is a rhythmic experiment heavy on hand percussion, evoking the spiritual essence of temple prayers, while the closing track 'Ruak' delves into transcendental soundscapes with acrobatic drum patterns and ethereal textures.

“Thinking back on it all, ‘The Golden Triangle’ would have never sounded the same if none of the contributors were involved, as we all shared the same mindset—less thought, break rules, and care more about feeling than perfection,” Sunju reflects.

He also emphasised that the full story will only be complete with the upcoming chapter; “Everything will make sense when Chapter 2 arrives and is heard from start to finish—then the story will unfold.”

Listen to snippets of ‘The Golden Triangle’ here and pre-order the vinyl here.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.

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