Album Review: Khruangbin - 'A LA SALA'
Texas trio Khruangbin return with their soothingly soulful new album ‘A LA SALA’.
Increasingly interesting band Khruangbin are back with a brand new, ever so innovative, album ‘A LA SALA’ meaning “to the room” in Spanish. Kicking things off is ‘Fifteen Fifty Three’ an instrumental number (as most of the record is) a real soulful number, reminiscent of hot summer nights and setting the mood for the album, and prepping the listener for laid-back loveliness.
As the album continues with ‘May Ninth’ and ‘Ada Jean’, you start to get to grips with the bands musical intention. Featuring mostly drums, lead guitar and bass, some may say it is musically, rather simple. But don’t be fooled, there is some truly glorious work happening on this record. With hints of 1970’s psychedelia and the way guitarist Mark Speer, drummer DJ Johnson and bassist Laura Lee seemingly communicate with each other through their instruments makes ‘A LA SALA’ an album dripping in euphoria and attitude.
Next up is ‘Farolium de Felgueiras’ a soft and rather haunting track followed by ‘Pon Pón’, a more upbeat number driven Johnson’s impeccable drumbeat. Home to a constant groove and wandering bassline, with echoey whispers thrown in for good measure, the song is sure to be a fan favourite.
‘Juegos y Nubes’ comes up shortly after, and will be my personal song of the summer. The track reminds the listener of sunny days spent in the park, with your best pals, soaking up the sun. It oozes style.
Up next is ‘Hold Me Up (Thank You)’, which includes the most vocals featured on the bands album, is by far the most atmospheric number; and is arguably the best blend of all three members musical talent. The real standout of ‘A LA SALA’ is the production of it, every song sounds so sleek and silky it is truly brilliant, and profoundly evident on the remaining tracks.
‘Caja de la Sala’, ‘Three From Two’ and ‘Love International’ are the next three up; with the latter encompassing the dirtiest bass tone your ears could wish to hear, building to a glorious finish. Each track bleeds perfectly into the next with this album, partly due to the use of background sounds that help set an immaculate ambience to the record. Birds, sirens, footsteps and loose change are all noises that can be heard in each track, creating a beautiful atmosphere and feeling when listening to ‘A LA SALA’.
Last, but certainly not least is ‘Les Petits Gris’ a piano based number that is so hauntingly beautiful and melancholy it is a perfect closer to this whopper of a record. The most interesting detail being it ends with the soft sound of crickets chirping, which can also be heard at the very beginning of the first track of the record - creating a perfect, continuing loop to ‘A LA SALA’.
It’s fair to say Khruangbin have hit back with yet another timeless album, and with their upcoming tour just round the corner, many will be able to hear to the bands newest hit live.
Words by George Venus
