Blurb: Khruangbin has always been multilingual, weaving far-flung musical languages like East Asian surf-rock, Persian funk, and Jamaican dub into mellifluous harmony. But on its third album, it’s finally speaking out loud. Mordechai features vocals prominently on nearly every song, a first for the mostly instrumental band. It’s a shift that rewards the risk, reorienting Khruangbin’s transportive sound toward a new sense of emotional directness, without losing the spirit of nomadic wandering that’s always defined it. And it all started with them coming home. Musically, the band’s ever-restless ear saw it pulling reference points from Pakistan, Korea, and West Africa, incorporating strains of Indian chanting boxes and Congolese syncopated guitar. But more than anything, the album became a celebration of Houston, the eclectic city that had nurtured them, and a cultural nexus where you can check out country and zydeco, trap rap, or avant-garde opera on any given night. In those years away from home, Khruangbin’s members often felt like they were swimming underwater, unsure of where they were going, or why they were going there. But Mordechai leads them gently back to the surface, allowing them to take a breath, look around, and find itself again. It is a snapshot taken along a larger journey—a moment all the more beautiful for its impermanence. And it’s a memory to revisit again and again, speaking to us now more clearly than ever. 1. First Class 2. Time (You and I) 3. Connaissais de Face 4. Father Bird, Mother Bird 5. If There is No Question 6. Pelota 7. One to Remember 8. Dearest Alfred 9. So We Won’t Forget 10. Shida
P**L
Sublime fusion creates a unique sound that pushes boundaries
This is a sublime album of lo-fi psychedelic sounds that manages to fuse seemingly diverse influences such as Pakistan, Iran, Korea and West Africa to create something new and vibrant and brilliant. This could easily have resulted in a hotch-potch mess but the lightness of touch of these wonderful musicians from Texas ensures that they do not over do things and the sound they create remains unique and pushes boundaries. I have played this to a few people without telling them what it is and they have all be blown away. Recommended.
M**S
Blissful
I had never heard any music by Khruangbin but had seen the album in the Hot New Releases chart on Amazon for the last few weeks. When Amazon dropped the price to £4.99 in the week of release (no idea why) I thought I'd give a try. So glad I did as it has rapidly become my favourite release this year so far. Such a shame we have the virus still lurking as this would be perfect to listen to whilst lying on a sunny beach. I have already ordered the remainder of their catalogue and hoping I enjoy it as much as I do this fantastic collection of music.
S**R
vinyl with problems
Loved the album,but once again the quality of the vinyl pressing is poor,ie noisy,clicks etc,and this is after cleaning.i just wished the companies would forget coloured vinyl(no sonic value at all) ,and download codes and produce quality vinyl and a cheaper prices.but hey ho!
B**E
Could do better.
Feels like they phoned this one in,their weakest album so far,one or two decent tracks but on the whole very skippable.Didn't like the singing and no nice atmospheric grooves as in previous albums. I am a fan but felt disappointed.Maybe this is what success does to some artists,it robs them of their creative spark.
D**6
Disappointing
Take a bass player with some promise, add a couple of seemingly nondescript others, plus a silly drum machine - worked in together through a poor mix, and you end up with this. Pointless. I'm not sure that 2 stars is too many.
M**C
My Khruangbin collection starts here..
It is never too late to discover a band that is so different and so very engrossing you wonder why no one told you before. So let me tell you, get this album! It's a well-presented vinyl on a good weight. Watch them on Youtube and fall in love again! What a trio! And the guitar playing is unreal, the bass is seductive and the drums tight! An underground bands for those in the know.
J**S
This is good.
This is good. It’s like they went into the studio to record an album, got a few tracks in then got high and started jamming (the middle of the album). Coming out of the other side, no doubt after plenty of snacks, they really get back into the groove. Take a listen to this and you’ll be a little happier afterwards.
A**E
Doesn't disappoint
Have always liked what i heard by them but this is 1st album have bought. Doesn't disappoint.
Trustpilot
1 week ago
2 months ago
