New Khruangbin album 'Mordechai' bursts with highlights

Texan trio Khruangbin have just released their new album 'Mordechai' on Dead Oceans and Night Time Stories.

Khruangbin is the Thai word for aeroplane – or literally 'engine fly' – and the Land Of Smiles' influence on the group doesn't end there.

Founding members Laura Lee and Mark Speer fell in love with the eccentric sound of molam while travelling around Thailand over a decade ago. There – transfixed by the country's northeastern folk and 'noodle house music' – they began collecting old cassette tapes of Thai pop music from the '70s, '80s and '90s. Upon returning home to Texas, the duo are joined by Donald Johnson on drums and set to work forging their unlikely fusion. Threading indie rock with guitar-rich sounds of Thai-funk, molam, and 'shadow music' (a unique Thai sound inspired by UK group The Shadows), Khruangbin were born. It wasn't long before their infectious hybrid sound won over a legion of fans and admirers, and their stock has continued to rise ever since. The band have now released three studio albums and have toured the globe extensively – twice gracing the stage at southeast Asian gem Wonderfruit.

On new album 'Mordechai' the band's signature psychedelic flavour provides the bedrock for their most vocal-heavy work to date. The molam influence – though less pronounced than on previous material – can still be heard in occasional guitar motifs, but this is an album blended from a vast pool of inspiration. Surf rock joins sounds from Pakistan, Korea, India and West Africa, and the dream-inducing collection has many highlights. Early favourites include the heavy dub of 'One To Remember', the soaring, feel-good flavours on 'So We Won't Forget', and the beachside sing-along of 'Time (You and I)'.

Khruangbin 'Mordechai' is out now on Dead Oceans & Night Time Stories. You can listen and buy it here.