Justin Lo: The First Moment of the New Year

For Justin Lo, the Chinese New Year usually speeds on by. “I used to fly a lot and rarely celebrate,” the Cantopop singer-songwriter and producer tells Apple Music. “So it’s mostly just business as usual.” While he visits Hong Kong from time to time—in 2022 this included The First Moment series of concerts that give this year-end playlist its name—he looks forward to spending much of the coming year making new music in Thailand, where he’s lived for three years. “I want to play gigs at resorts, bars and lounges in Thailand, to jam with different musicians and play Cantopop covers,” he says. Toasting to his plans, he opens this playlist with the ballad “I JUST WANNA PEN FAN YOU DAI BOR ?” by Thai singer-songwriter Singto Numchok. “This is a Thai song I really love. l play it on loop before and after shows,” he says. “Although the lyrics are about chasing girls, the melody is beautiful and memorable. It’s really suited to the happy atmosphere of the new year.” Lo also highlights his own work, including the festive “Gongxifacai Song” and tracks from 2022 album love songs from dreams, alongside music by Sam Hui and Leslie Cheung among others, hoping to start the new year with the music he loves.