By Roman Soto
Have you ever pressed shuffle on your playlist and the repetitive nature of the unchanging musical genre plays continuously on your listening device? Well my fellow music lovers, you’ve just stumbled upon a place to expand your music taste. Welcome to Roman’s Empire, your new favorite music column. My job here will be to persuade you to add the suggested artist to your playlist. Here, we delve into some of music’s most captivating artists from all over the world. It’s simple: find a comfortable chair and prepare for the expansion of your musical knowledge. Today, we dive into the brilliant elements that frame Khruangbin’s dazzling portrait.
On a late night headed to our campsite, my dad and I cruised down the open freeway. Though our eardrums begged for a decrease in volume, my dad’s crisp indie-rock playlist suppressed the noise. It had become a father-son bonding tradition to ride down the open road with music blasting. The spontaneity of the vast indie playlist indulged our interest in the hidden beauty of the genre. Suddenly, with the ending of the previous song, Connaissais de Face’s exotically comforting guitar and rhythmic yet soft drums began to resonate throughout the car. Immediately, I asked my father, “This song is terrific, who sings it?” Eagerly, he answered, “Khruangbin. I knew you would like them!”
From then on, Khruangbin’s enthralling melodies cruised into my playlist, accompanying many of my reflective thoughts.
In 2004 Laura Lee Ochoa’s stimulating basslines, Donald “DJ” Johnson’s smooth drums, and Mark Speer’s humble guitar skills would join forces and form Khruangbin (Meaning “airplane” in Thai). Though formed in the early 2000’s it wouldn’t be until 2018 that the native Texan trio burst into the Independent Rock scene with a unique and signature sound. With the release of their most essential album, Con Todo El Mundo, (Translated from Spanish to English as “With all the World”) Khruangbin immediately broadened their repertoire internationally by assimilating various musical genres and elements. Khruangbin’s psychedelic sounds derive from popular Thai music genres such as Luk-Thung and Molam. Additionally, in Khruangbin bassist Laura Lee Ochoa’s response in a YouTube interview conducted by Reverb media, Ochoa claims “[She] learned [bass] on dub and reggae.” As a result, subtle hints of reggae basslines guide the melody of many of Khruangbin’s tunes, further intensifying the audience’s listening experience. Representing a primarily instrumental band, Khruangbin capitalizes on its experimental freedom to incorporate ambient multinational sounds and distinct lyrical approaches.
Through their music, Khruangbin represents various international sounds and cultures. The trio has accumulated mass popularity and a culturally diverse fanbase that continues to grow. Every one of their songs tells an intriguing tale—a love story, a heartbreak, or a touching scenic description. No matter the mood, Khruangbin will always be ready to blow you away with unambiguously stunning musical masterpieces. Below I will list some of my favorite Khruangbin songs tailored for your playlist.
- Connassais de Face
- August 10
- Maria Tambien
- Texas Sun
- Mariella
- Shades of Man