Cell phones: It is no secret that cell phones are the hottest consumer item in the Kingdom these days. But they are not only effective for making phone calls, taking photos, playing games and surfing the internet – they are possibly the best way of receiving and listening to music. Pov Simheng a senior student of accounting at Royal University of Law and Economics, said that she has been using her cell phone for two years. She says that she can listen to music anytime and anywhere she wants. “I rarely pay money for buying songs,” said Sim Heng. The songs that she has in her cell phone she downloaded from the internet or got from her friends through Bluetooth. Sometimes when she is doesn’t have to study she will sit with her friends and exchange new songs using Bluetooth. It’s fast, easy and free!

Radio: Ever since the UNDP distributed thousands of them in the 1990s, tuning in to the radio has been Cambodia’s favourite way of receiving the news and listening to old favourites and new hits. It is becoming less popular as cell phones, computers and iPods take over, but you can still find many people listening to the country’s many AM broadcasts. Men Chanvourleak, a second year English literature student at Human Resources University, said that she prefers listening to music through the radio because she likes to listen to music out loud and wants other people to know what song she is listening to. Moreover, she often calls to radio stations to request songs that she likes. When they play her suggestion she needs to turn up the volume and invite her family members to listen.

DVD players: Playing music on a DVD player gives you a chance to not only listen but also see the music being played. We are all familiar with the stars who sing the songs and Cambodian music videos are becoming better and better. Sometimes music is best as a background to whatever you are doing, but if you have time to give your full attention to the tunes, DVDs are ideal. Hean Sovanwatana, 21, a second year student in IT at Norton University, says: “I like entertaining myself with DVD & VCD players.” Usually he amuses himself by singing karaoke on the weekends after studying during the week. “It helps me relieve stress and have a good time with my family.”

MP3s: MP3 players have already become somewhat obsolete with phones that can store and play music. However, they are still a super cool way to listen to music. Storing MP3s on your computer can also help you stay focused when you need to get something done. “Music helps me focus on what I am doing,” said Sam Kunty, a second year medical student at International University. Recently he had to read six pages of an article and music kept him focused on what he was doing. Without it he would have heard everything going on around him and would have been distracted. But instead he listened to music while he was reading, and finished it all.