WHO ARE THEY? Khruangbin are a psychedelic instrumental trio whose bass-heavy, slow-rolling funk comes from the Houston underground (with a detour through South East Asia). Leon Bridges is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Fort Worth whose supple fusion of retro and neo-soul has earned him fame, fortune and a Grammy nomination. Aside from a home state, you’d think they would have little common ground. You’d be wrong.
WHAT IS THIS? A four-track collaborative EP that finds the former tourmates seamlessly mixing, melding and merging their sounds and styles without compromising their individual strengths.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? The equivalent of being slightly buzzed and floating down a lazy river in an inner tube on a warm summer afternoon — as a gentle breeze keeps you just cool enough. For the purposes of this metaphor, let’s say that Khruangbin’s low, flowing grooves are the river and the buzz, while Bridges’ warm, velvety pipes supply both the warmth and the breeze. You can supply your own virtual inner tube.
WHAT ARE THE MOST REVEALING LYRICS? ‘You say you like the wind blowing through your hair / Come on, roll with me ’til the sun goes down.’ Told you.
WHAT SHOULD IT BE TITLED? Lone Star State of Consciousness.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? On repeat: With only 20 minutes of music, this goes by way too fast. I thought everything was supposed to be bigger in Texas.
WHAT 10 WORDS SUM IT UP? Relaxed, soothing, trippy, soulful, sweet, intimate, collaborative, meandering, understated, meditative.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? All of them — from the opening title cut with its east-meets-west Texas guitar jangle to Midnight’s funky flute, C-Side’s spaced-out groove and Conversation’s slow sunset sendoff.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS SAY? ‘They need to make an album. No, wait — they HAVE TO make an album. As soon as possible.’
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO IT? It might get more rotation in the summer, but for now it will keep the dream alive.
IF THIS EP WERE A SYMBOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? The yin-yang.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL IT? Four songs shouldn’t break the bank.
