As Myanmar is struggling under the rule of military dictatorship, Benjamin Sum, who was one of the runner-ups in the latest Myanmar idol contest, had to flee and find a home in Mizoram, India. Before the situation, he had already released some of his own music on YouTube, and right now, he is partnered with two men named P Thawng Bawi and David Lai. The three of them came up with a group name Guys From Chin.

During the past months, they had posted some covers of songs from different eras. Despite them doing a cover, these boys put a unique twist on how they sang it in terms of the kind of vibe drifting through the music. 

My favorite song was “Stumblin In,” which was originally sung by Chris Norman and Suzi Quatro. The original song was the familiar nineties-sounding tune, but the group version of it made it more catchy. Thawng Bawi and David Lai were playing guitars while Benjamin Sum was tapping constantly at a Cajon. The instruments blending together give a laid-back sound but with an additional amount of enthusiasm.

I loved the creativity of them playing the instruments together, and when it was time to stop, they did it at the same time. This is definitely one I would add to my playlist. My second favorite was “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Again, the initial artist of the song was John Denver.

Something I found inventive through the cover was how the lyrics were slightly adjusted. The style these three guys did was they referred to Myanmar and said the actual places where they are native to in the country as the setting rather than West Virginia. But I also did enjoy the passion and strong fondness in their hearts longing to go back to their hometown. I almost cried a little bit, and I thought it was the sweetest thing I had ever heard.

Their voices granted a beautiful effect of the nostalgia being portrayed wonderfully. It creates a tone reminder of knowing the beloved memories being made in a certain place, and I can personally relate to that, especially when I had to switch schools in elementary and move to a new home as well as leaving middle school for a fresh start in high school. It’s simply because I remembered amazing moments that I had the chance to witness thoroughly, and obviously, it can’t be replaced. Never at all. But most importantly, not being able to see my closest friends and teachers every day anymore was the most difficult.

Last but not least, even though this didn’t form plenty of admiration, I still gained satisfaction when listening to their cover of “You’re Still The One” by Shania Twain. I fell in love with the way Benjamin built a touching closeness with the sorrowful mood as well as putting particular images in my mind, like the time each of my teachers in middle school worked so hard to support me and it always has been making my day.

Another one is remembering being in Ms. Turner’s classroom and her noticing my love for creative writing and doing something that she knows will further expand my talent and passion for becoming a writer.

No matter what contrasting aspects the covers had, I would never deny the opportunity to hear them again. It’s never a bother taking the time to see how an artist who’s going through some darkness is able to find some light and shine that in public.