Through the hoops: Pop singer Thu Minh performs her hit Flying which is included in her latest album Body Language. — File Photo

HCM CITY — Pop stars and young singers are spending more of their time recording music albums instead of making fancy music videos.

Although she became famous more for her looks than her music, pop star Thu Minh now wants the fans to appreciate her singing, not just her beauty.

Minh has been involved in quality music recordings, and her latest album, Body Language, which featured 11 dance songs, sold very well.

The CD was one of 2011's five best albums selected and voted on by a group of prestigious composers and music producers, and readers of the The Thao&Van Hoa (Sports&Culture) newspaper.

"My beauty is nothing," Minh said, in her interview with local media before releasing the album Body Language in HCM City. "I wanted my CDs to be ready for the industry's fierce competition."

Song highlights include Taxi, No Smoking, Love Goes Round and Flying by young composer Nguyen Hai Phong, all of which have become popular among fans.

"I worked with my producer to perfect my original voice and have a quality recording," she said.

Young singer and songwriter Le Cat Trong Ly has also been working hard to impress her fans.

"I wanted to provide young audiences with real music by myself," said Ly.

The 25-year-old refused to spend time making music videos, often filming outdoors with state-of-the-art cameras, in addition to recording in the studio.

Ly proved her music in her first album Le Cat Trong Ly by offering good music written by herself instead of only covers of famous songs.

Her CD features 10 pop songs, including two songs composed by talented Sa Huynh and Thanh Tung.

Ly recorded her voice with support from her close friends, skilled guitarists Cao Hong Ha, Nguyen Nho Truong Sa and pianist Dang Quoc Viet.

"Ly's voice is not strong enough to sing more serious songs, but she has tried her best to overcome her limitations through her own songs, mostly highlighting her view of people and love. I like it," Nguyen Thi Van Giang, a fan from HCM City, said.

While most young singers are involved in pop and dance music, a group of rockers in Ha Noi is the exception.

The band Quai Vat Ti Hon (Little Beasts) has achieved new heights through its first album, Duong Ve (Way Home).

The CD features 12 songs, surprising fans with meaningful language and simple music.

"I want to offer my fans brilliant singing, not just a taste of the market's entertainment trends," said Nguyen Cong Hai, the band's leader and songwriter.

On an online music forum, a fan from Da Nang, wrote: "Hai's band offers music that is unique. He and his band have shown that young singers have flexible styles and can produce a variety of musical genres." — VNS