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Welcome to the world of Mordechai

A Psychedelic Melting Pot: The latest album by Khruangbin

By Hannah FirthPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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Album artwork for the latest release by Khruangbin

A little over six weeks ago the official release for Mordechai was announced with the relaunch of the official playlist generator from Khurangbin which was found on the website AirKhurang. Fast forwarding another four weeks, just over two weeks ago from where we are at now we were hit with the newest release, the latest record and I do not think anyone was ready for this, not just melodic tunes to sway too, but surprisingly damn right good music. Welcome to the latest record from Khurangbin; a lost psych-funk classic from a far off land.

Glistening organs, deceptively complex guitar work. A steady pulse of deeply deferential bass lines and funky drumming patterns all melded together providing the backbone for an irresistible groove for the soft cooing group vocal refrains which all build up to the impeccably stylish mood music. Mordechai is equal part blissful vibes and bashful introspection but all together is the fun, carefree times we’ve all missed out on this year.

The Texan trio, Khurangbin, have undoubtedly gotten more expressive and soul-searching in Mordechai, rewarding close listening more so than any of their records yet. The illusive intricate guitar work, captivating percussion and afro-pop guitar licks work together to represent a cultural melting pot of sound and genres. Bringing together east Asian surf-rock, Persian funk, Jamaican dub and psychedelia, the challenging mix of elements leave Khurangbin’s melodic dubby groove intact. For a mostly instrumental band this new wave of vocals, from all three members, highlighting their multilinguistic talents and capabilities, this is a shift that rewards their new risky musical venture.

The highlight of the album is Pelota with resonant lyrics sung in Spanish by bassist Laura; quietly swaggering but transcending all cultural barriers. The spicy percussion with a delightful syncopation, using a blend of funk, soul, rock and disco leaves Pelota not pointing at any genre reference but evoking many, offering everything that Khurangbin sound like when they are just being themselves. Whilst some of the other songs on the album do fall slightly short to Pelota and other singles from the record, including Time (You and I), they all flow through in the form of a beautifully curated narrative.

Mordechai, being the third record of the mysterious trio, shows their continual musical development; spending the last decade touring, crate digging and gathering inspiration from all over the globe; with this album, they have broken through. Mark Speer’s semifrequent flavourful guitar solos taking away from the need for heavy vocals; paired with drummer Donald Johnson ‘DJ’s’ funky dream-like drum beats interplaying within Laura Lee’s moody basslines have created an almost jam band; rendering vibrant and playful sounds from all over the world.

Upon the Texan trio returning home from their busy touring schedule, where they were travelling the world playing major festivals and shows in all corners of the globe, with their previous two records The Universe Smiles Upon You and Con To El Mundo, their return to their farmhouse studio in Burton Texas has been an intricate and rewarding time. The three of them have been working hard from the development of this lucrative band to create a niche of their own and in the process have developed a somewhat cult following.

This is their most grounded, yet most energetic, up-tempo work with the three coming together to produce vocals which infiltrate almost every track to showcase their growing knowledge and talent, creating a distinguishing new path for where Khurangbin are headed. In their time away from home, they often recall to feeling as though they did not know where they were going or what they were doing, swimming underwater, but Mordechai blissfully

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