Taking influence from 1960’s Thai funk – their name literally translates to “Engine Fly” in Thai – Khruangbin’s debut album ‘The Universe Smiles Upon You’ is steeped in the bass heavy, psychedelic sound of their inspiration, Tarantino soundtracks and surf-rock cool. The Texan trio is formed of Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald “DJ” Johnson on drums.

“Hypnotic, spacious, drifting soul music with a cinematic dreaminess” The Guardian
“A positive energy” The Independent
“Like a Tarantino soundtrack crossed with Curtis Mayfield. In Thailand” The Telegraph
“Intriguing Thai-influence funk” Mojo
“Texan trio summon vintage spirits on trippy debut” Uncut
“A sea of sound that’s lovely to get lost in” The Line Of Best Fit
“If you’re happy to let the sounds of Khruangbin take over your mind, body, soul and decision-making for the next few hours then you could quite easily find yourself having the time of your life” The Ransom Note
“An imaginative, inventive and sublime debut album” Stamp The Wax
“An outstanding debut” Future Music
“Gloriously otherworldly yet eminently accessible” The Crack
“A heady brew of dub, funk and bass-filled psychedelia” Resident Advisor
Q&A : The Independent
Houston City Guide : Stamp The Wax
Essential Thai-Funk Mixtape : The Vinyl Factory
8 Tracks From Sunset To Sundown : The Ransom Note
Happening Right Now : Shindig
Live Session : BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends
Live Session : Monocle 24
Recommended : BBC 6 Music

BBC radio support from Gideon Coe, Lauren Laverne, Tom Ravenscroft, Mary Anne Hobbs, Nemone, Radcliffe & Maconie, Huey Morgan.

  • Label Night Time Stories
  • Release Date 6th November 2015