Khruangbin: LateNightTales
American Trio band from Houston Texas, Khruangbin, released their latest record LateNightTales in December of 2020. This album is their first compilation album in their discography, released by label Night Time Stories. The mixtape includes blends of varying genres across the globe, from Korean Rock and Spiritual Jazz, to Latin and R&B. Khruangbin includes their cover of Kool and the Gang's “Summer Madness” to the mix.
LateNightTales series is an artist-developed compilation album, where artists garner diversified track listings and usually create a cover version to include, for an ultimate curation mix. The first LateNightTales was created in the early 2000s and has been published by many known groups ever since, such as The Flaming Lips, Rae and Christian, MGMT, Franz Ferdinand, and plenty more.
The origin of Khruangbin and LateNightTales do not start with this compilation, as the group was featured on Bonobo’s LateNightTales back in late 2013. The track featured “A Calf Born in Winter” is a Khruangbin non-album single that was officially released in 2014. This appearance helped Khruangbin develop an early audience with first releases such as EP The Infamous Bill and debut studio album The Universe Smiles Upon You.
Due to Khruangbin’s music discography, the mixtape’s tracklist is no surprise to fans, as the band is known to cherish the psychedelic and movie-score-like sound that makes them so recognizable.
Some notable tracks in LateNightTales are “Don’t Go” by Sanullim, an influential South Korean rock group in the ’70s. Up-front, catchy bassline with subtle funk guitar melodies garnishing the track, with an emphasis of the lead singer, Kim Chang-Wan, vocals leading throughout the entirety of the tune.
“「祭ばやじか聞こえる」のテーマ” (roughly translating to ‘I Can Hear the Festival’ Theme) by George Yagani & Nadja band brings a luscious twist with a seductive saxophone, and an even more tantalizing vocal performance, that will make you bite your bottom lip and raise your eyebrows at the mere whiff of this song. Handsome ballad by George.
“Зачарованная Моя” (roughly translating to ‘My Enchanted’ ) by Pesniary is a song you may not know the singer’s chantings (unless you speak Ukrainian), but the melodic structure of his poem will surely make you want to sing along. Captivating and memorable chorus with, although being a dulcet song, delivering a flashy guitar solo in the midst of the track, giving the song a satisfying acridness sound.
“Enséñame” (roughly translates to ‘Show Me’) by David Marez is a bitter-sweet track that is colorful with orchestra-sounding instrumentation. Roaring trumpets and a string synth that brighten the vibe. David’s performance is noteworthy, to say the least, bringing confident and bombastic vibrato vocals that reward music enjoyers every listen they give this song.
The last mention is Khruangbin’s cover of “Summer Madness”. The track hones the expected subtle and smooth instrumentation of bassist, Laura Lee, and drums and synth, Donald “DJ” Johnson. The effects and distortion of guitarist, Mark Speer, keeps the tone lively and powerful as his riffs come in and out of existence. Overall doing justice to the original track of Kool & The Gang, but still playing with the recipe to give the track its own unique taste.
Khruangbin LateNightTales Vinyl Tracklist:
"Illuminations" - Carlos Santana & Alice Coltrane
"I Know That" - Brillantes Del Vuelo
"Khushi" - Nazia Hassan
"DRM" - Kelly Doyle
"Don’t Go" - Sanulrim
"I Like It (Don’t Stop)" - Maxwell Udoh
"Enseñame" - David Marez
"FCan You Feel The Love (Reprise)" - Gerald Lee
"Still You" - Justine & The Victorian Punks
“「祭ばやしが聞こえる」のテーマ" (Theme for Festival Past) - George Yanagi & Nadja Band
"Зачарованная моя"(My Enchanted) - ПеснярыSingers
"Summer Madness" - Khruangbin (Exclusive Kool & the Gang cover)
"Contigo" - Paloma San Basilio
"Yetikimt Abeba" - Roha Band
"Transmission For Jehn: Gnossiene No 1" (Exclusive Spoken Word Track) - Tierney Malone & Geoffrey Muller
Check out Khruangbin’s socials below!
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
Get to know our Writer, Jesus Navarrete Instagram
