Khruangbin - The Universe Smiles Upon You ii (2025)
The Universe Smiles Upon You II takes the original 2015 album and revisits it through the lens of a band ten years older—recorded in the same barn, with the same raw conditions, but now infused with the lessons and textures of a decade of growth. The grooves remain hypnotic and laid-back, but there’s a deeper warmth and precision—knowing nods to global funk, Thai funk roots, surf soul and instrument-led storytelling. The re-imagined versions of tracks like “White Gloves ii” and “People Everywhere (ii)” show how Khruangbin can refresh their own legacy—not simply nostalgia, but evolution. While fans of the original may find familiarity in the track list and themes, the new arrangements and recording context give the songs new weight—a celebration of what has changed, not a mere repeat of the past. Overall, this album stands as both tribute and renewal: a compelling statement from a band confident in their identity yet eager to let it grow.
Genre: Psychedelic funk
Country: US
Final Verdict: 63% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 468th / 762
Highlight: People Everywhere ii
Made me think of:
Thievery Corporation
The Budos Band
Toro y Moi
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