Night Time Stories 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: In 2015, Texas & London-based trio Khruangbin's debut album 'The Universe Smiles Upon You' garnered wide critical acclaim and captured attention for its seamless genre-blending and internationally shaped sound - one that evidently has deep roots in Thai-funk cassette culture. Similarly to their debut, sophomore record 'Con Todo El Mundo' is a cocktail of largely instrumental surf-rock, afro-funk, middle-eastern and far-eastern influences, mixed with warmth and soul. As if their pallette wasn't diverse enough, the additions of the pared back boogie on 'Evan Finds The Third Room', the widescreen dream-pop of 'A Hymn' and deeply intricate writing of closer 'Friday Morning', are illustrative of a band who have worked hard to broaden their horizons while keeping their roots in mind and, despite transatlantic bases, clearly remain a stunningly cohesive and well-matched outfit.

Review: German pair Session Victim have long been invigorating the deep hose scene with their rare musical skill. They have managed to imbue their sounds with elements of funk, jazz and soul while keeping their grooves fresh and stylish. Their fifth studio album Low Key, Low Pressure is "an anathema to today's fast paced, industry driven musical landscape" in that it is sophisticate and unhurried, not full of obvious singles but instead a coherent body of work that really excels as a long player - not something that can be said of much of today's disposable, Spotify-ready dance music. Across the ten tunes there's a lovely cover, a fine collab with occasional partner Carsten "Erobique" Meyer and playful sounds a plenty.

Review: Londoner Ash Walker explored far and wide with his last album Aquamarine back in 2019. Now he follows it up with a record that is just as ambitious. This fourth full-length via Night Time Stories features plenty of top collaborations with contemporary stars like Andrew Ashong, Amp Fiddler, Yazz Ahmed and Saville and is a gorgeously astral mix of jazz, blues, folk, reggae and soul. Some tracks are laidback and blissed out star gazers such as 'Letting Go', others are mournful and wistful nu-jazz soundscapes like 'Time Gets Wasted' and 'Automation' is a woozy deep house for perfect smoking sessions.