Music Around the World: Bhutan

Thanks for joining us again on our Musical World Tour! Today, we're visiting the Southeast Asian country of Bhutan. Known for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness, vibrant cultural heritage, ancient architecture, and being the only carbon negative country in the world, the country also has a unique music scene. Here's our info dump to give us the scoop:

-Capital City: Thimphu

-Official Language: Dzongkha

-Government: Unitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy, currently under the leadership of Dragon King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck & Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay

-Bhutan has had some form of settlers since around 500 BC; became unified in 1616; existed under the Desi administration starting in 1650; came under the current Wangchuck dynasty in 1907; implemented the Bhutan-India treaty in 1949; and ratified their current constitution in 2008

-Land Area: 14,824 square miles (133rd largest nation in the world)

-Population: 727,145 as of 2022

-Religion: 74.7% Buddhist; 22.6% Hindu; 1.9% Bon; 0.8% other religious affiliation

-Drive on the left side of the road

Bhutanese music is deeply imbedded in their culture and has been for generations. Religious and folk music are just as prevalent and respected as pop music, and most is performed in the Dzongkha language. I had no idea what to expect going into this week, but it's been super interesting and I'm excited to share. Let's go!

DRA DHA JAMCHEY by Baby Floyd (written by Baby Floyd)

Baby Floyd is a Bhutanese experimental & alternative rock band. They tend to blend together many subgenres of rock, like atlernative and glam, to create their one of a kind sound. They have one studio album currently streaming on Apple Music. DRA DHA JAMCHEY was released as a single in 2025, and I had so much fun listening to it. It can feel a little long towards the end, but the sound is really cool and the vocals are great. I couldn't find a good translation of the lyrics, but please make sure to give it a listen.

Jamtsho by CHOGO (written by C. Daunt, K. Chogyel)

Kunzeng Chogyel, known professionally as CHOGO, is a Bhutanese rapper and musician. Born in Thimphu, he blends modern hip hop with traditional Bhutanese sounds to create his unique vibe. CHOGO has one studio album currently streaming on Apple Music. Jamtho (Eat in English) was released as a single in 2025, and I really dug it. It's very atmospheric and just a really cool vibe that I enjoyed. A rough translation of the mixed Dzongkha and English lyrics is below.

Food is blue/I’ll dive with you, baby/The front of the lizard/You the dusk that I gaze in/The key to the key/You pour me my blessings/Sem show lab lu/Shooting stars above me/Leading me wherever you are/You are you are, you are you are/Leading me wherever you are/You are yo uare, you are you are/Leading me wherever you are/You are you are, you arae you are/Leding me wherever you are/You are you are, you are you are

Mi Mijur Notshe by Jigme Drukpa (composer unknown)

Jigme Drukpa is a Bhutanese musician and singer. Born in Wongchelo in 1969 (around 378 miles southeast of Thimphu), he is a studied and prominent folk musician and Bhutan's first ethno-musicologist. Drukpa is a vocalist, and instrumentally can play the dramyin (lute), fipple flute, and plant leaf whistle. Drukpa has 2 studio albums streaming on Apple Music as of now. Mi Mijur Notshe was originally featured on his 2016 album Bhutan Himalaya (Folk Music from Bhutan) and is a very interesting listen. It's both simple and intricate, and is a great example of the zhungdra style of Bhutanese folk music. I couldn't find a good translation of the lyrics, but I encourage you to check it out for yourself.

Jungkhu Mi by Kezang Dorji (written by K. Dorji)

Kezang Dorji is a Bhutanese rapper, songwriter, and social worker. Born in Samdrup Jongkhar in October 1989 (about 270 miles southeast of Thimphu), he received multiple awards as a young musician and was the first Bhtanese musician to be featured on the BBC. Dorji typically performs in the genres as rap and B-pop (Bhutanese pop). He has released three studio albums since 2011. Jungkhu Mi (Friend Me in English) was released as a single in 2023, and it wasn't half bad. It was a cool example of another culture's type of rap and had a good beat to it. I couldn't find a good translation of the lyrics, but if you're a rap fan, you may like this one.

Druk Tsenden by Kingdom of Bhutan (written by D. Namgay, G. Thinley, A. Tongmi)

Druk Tsenden (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom in English) is the national anthem of Bhutan. The melody was composed by Bhutanese composer Ak Tongmi and the lyrics were written by either Dorji Lopen Droep Namgay or Dasho Gyaldun Thinley, there's some debate about who. sing the national anthems of England and India as inspiration, the song was adopted as national anthem in 1953. An English translation of the original Dzongkha lyrics is below.

In the Kingdom of Bhutan adorned with cypress trees/The Protector who reigns over the realm of spiritual and secular traditions/He is the King of Bhutan, the precious sovereign/May His being remain unchanging, and the Kingdom prosper/May the teachings of the Enlightened One flourish/May the sun of peace and happiness shine over all people

Che Deni Yayru by Misty Terrace (written by T. Wangchuk)

Misty Terrace is a Bhutanese alternative rock band. Formed in 2013 in Thimphu, they combine traditional Bhutanese music with modern rock. They have multiple singles currently streaming on Apple Music. Che Deni Yayru (What a Denial in English) was released as a single in 2025, and I really liked it. It feels traditional and modern at the same time, and the instrumentation and vocals were cool. I couldn't find a good translation of the lyrics, but give it a shot.

Norbu Rigi Pangshong by Sonam Dorji (composer unknown)

Sonam Dorji is a Bhutanese musician and composer. He's considered a master musician and has had works published and played on the radio since the age of 12. Dorji can play multiple instruments, including dramgyen, yancheng, flute, ektara, and sitar and he can speak eleven languages. He has three albums currently streaming on Apple Music. Norbu Rigi Pangshong was originally featured on the 2015 album Music from the Mountains of Bhutan, and I honestly loved it. It's such a cool piece of folk music with really intricate insrumentation. I couldn't find a good translation of the lyrics, but I highly recommend this one.

Phudosa by Sonam Wangchen (written by S. Wangchen)

Sonam Wangchen is a Bhutanese singer. Born in 2002, he is a younger voice in the Bhutan music scene but also very popular. Wangchen typically sings R&B, soul, and Thai pop music and also served as a UNICEF National Youth Ambassador for Bhutan. He has multiple singles streaming on Apple Music. Phudosa (Destroy in English) was originally released as a single in 2023 and is a pretty standard pop song. Wangchen's vocals are good, and it just feels like something you'ud hear on the radio. I couldn't find a good translation of the lyrics, but check it out.

I hope you enjoyed learning about this country as much as I did. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!