FOURTH'S COMING OF AGE

THE YOUNG THAI ACTOR AND SINGER FOURTH NATTAWAT IS FINALLY COMING INTO HIS OWN WITH THE HELP OF FRANCK MULLER.

- FARHAN SHAH

I HAVE EMBRACED MY AGE. It's an admittedly painful process. First, the crows dance their tiny feet around your eyes, silently, without warning, and you suddenly wake up one morning, look in the mirror, and realise the lines aren't a smudge but something far more permanent. Then, your hair decides grey is the new black. Finally, knees that can take a full day's worth of battering in the past apply for pension.

I write this with a lot of gratitude. Age comes with it experience, and an ability to navigate the intricacies of a creative career laced with corporate sensitivities.

It also comes with the realisation that fresh creative and cultural work isn't made for you at all. This isn't an old-man-waving-at-the-clouds situation. Science has literally dictated this. A survey (conducted eons ago before Covid-19 and presumably done by several of my grey-haired science contemporaries) revealed that after turning 28, many stop seeking out new music.

Instead, they sought sanctity in the refuge of their favourite hits. The powers that be called it "musical paralysis" and the exact age varied across countriesBrazilians reached paralysis at 23 years and two months while Germans stayed curious for longer, with the average age being 31.

I got reminded of this survey while listening to Fourth Nattawat. The Thai singer and actor-and AUGUSTMAN'S cover star is the celebrity personification of a supernova. He has rocketed into the Asian scene, and the hearts of many, like a Spanish fighting bull hellbent on goring the matador. Every post or music video he puts out is almost instantly flooded with comments pining for his looks or charm. He is also young. Incredibly young. Fourth turns 21 this year on 18 October. In some countries, he's not even legally allowed to consume alcohol or vote yet.