Amidst major music genres of vocal-centric pop music, rap and hip-hop, there is a quiet revolution taking foot, and it is led by a trio from Texas, Khruangbin. With their hypnotic, trance-like grooves and genre-defying soundscapes, they have captivated audiences around the world. From the past and springing up with new breath, Thai funk has taken center stage, a surprising well of psychedelic and vibrant influence hailing from the 1960s and 70s. A genre that is finding new life in the hands of a new guard of talented musicians.
Is Khruangbin the Gateway to Global Sounds?
This trio from Texas has blown through like a sprinting torchbearer, and in its wake the rise of instrumental music that transcends international borders. With an appreciation for the international music scene, especially Thai funk, and with their use of minimal vocals and heavy grooves, they have combined various elements from dub, surf rock, soul, and of course, Southeast Asian Psychedelia. Another interesting note is that their name means “airplane” in Thai. It’s a name that many fans have mispronounced or can’t remember the exact pronunciation but either way they are enthused by bands’ influence and music.
Khruangbin’s ability to create narratives without words and evoke emotion with sonic vibrance is what sets them apart. Most of their tracks have a cinematic feel, as one interviewer puts it, their music sounds like a soundtrack from a Quentin Taratino movie. Their influential and inspirational sound creates an imaginary spark for a new realm of creativity in music. The band’s mood-driven music also resonates with listeners that are enveloped in a world saturated with lyrical content and taking them on an emotional tour both mentally and sonically.
Out from Obscurity to Influence: Thai Funk!
Once a niche genre, Thai funk was something only known to collectors and crate-digging DJs back in the day. Popularized by the stylings of artists like Dao Brandon and Suthep Daoduangmai, who blended traditional Thai melodies with psychedelic effects and western instruments took the genre to sonic levels, creating a unique palette that encapsulated a feeling for both the futuristic and the nostalgic.
With a renewed interest in the genre, Thai funk has gained new attention through compilations on YouTube with channels like Thai Funk ZudRangma, unearthing a plethora of rare vinyl recordings. Khruangbin’s debut album The Universe Smiles Upon you, a heavily sampled rendition was inspired by these sounds, and with that they had inspired a whole new generation of listeners revitalizing the genre.
“…the globalization of taste from streaming platforms has made it easier for the discovery of various music genres from around the world,…”
How is it that Instrumental Music is Thriving Now?
Well, let’s take a look at some of these contributing factors to the resurgence of instrumental music.
For one, the globalization of taste from streaming platforms has made it easier for the discovery of various music genres from around the world, and on that note has taken down language and cultural barriers. The walls are comin’ down!
Two, with a focus on ambiance, this music is perfect for background music where instrumental tracks are perfect for study, work, and relaxing. This also contributes to the rise of ambient ‘lo-fi’ playlists. Could this be the next thing eating up the coffee shop vibe?
Thirdly, is cultural curiosity. Because of the availability of technology by opening doors in the music realm, younger audiences can explore and find diverse cultural identities and histories. This is great on so many levels for the younger generations.
A Future Landscape for Borderless Music
Cultural fusion and the fluidity of the genre through rising bands like Khruangbin signal a broader trend emerging. The evolution of this genre through exploration and reinterpretation by artists on a global scale could give us a glimpse into the future where we may possibly see more collaborations across the continents. Where traditional instruments are blended with modern production widening the sonic plain.
Forgotten genres can also be revived as musicians, searching for inspiration, dig deeper into catalogs and regional archives for that spark for new material and inspiration.
Then there’s the shift in music education, this is where interests are peaked and exploration into ethnomusicology opens doors wider into non-western rhythm and exotic scales.
Once considered just a niche, instrumental music is now taking foot as a forerunner in a movement that values mood, texture, and cultural storytelling. The influence that Thai funk has left in it wake is just one example of how the past can reach up and grab hold in informing the future, creating a borderless tapestry that is rich and vibrant. Music is both beautiful and enriching and Transends the times. So, keep writing, exploring, and creating!
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