Celebrating a Decade of Progress with Khruangbin’s ‘The Universe Smiles Upon You ii’
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Marking a decade of thriving music creation, the Houston-based trio, Khruangbin, revisited their maiden album, ‘The Universe Smiles Upon You’, yet again in 2025. The reinvention named ‘The Universe Smiles Upon You ii’ retains the original’s magic but adds a new dimension representing the band’s growth over the years. Band members, Laura Lee Ochoa, Mark Speer, and Donald “DJ” Johnson, who have been together since 2004, found this to be an opportunity to reaffirm their creative prowess and reflect their journey.
Recording on the same dates, January 4-6, as the first, ‘The Universe Smiles Upon You ii’ was crafted under the same rustic barn conditions. Known for their ability to blend global music influences such as Thai rock, Iranian pop, and dub with American roots, each track narrates a tale of evolution, accomplishment, and the continuous chase for creative freedom. Having initially connected over their shared love of Afghan music and Middle Eastern architecture, their musical aesthetic has evolved to be bass-heavy and psychedelic. While their reputation in the industry grew, they stayed true to these roots and continued to build upon them.
The fortified rendition sends ripples through time and space by offering a sense of serenity and creative freedom, seemingly influenced by their surroundings and the barn’s ambient sounds. One can discern elements of wildlife, the barn’s texture, and various subtle movements woven into the tracks. Notably, the song “August Twelve ii” distinctly includes ambient bird noises, symbolic of their journey, and the freedom they have found in their sound.
Khruangbin‘s story of evolution has been nothing short of extraordinary. Originally employed at St. John’s Methodist Church gospel band, Speer and Johnson evolved their music talents, gaining recognition for their eclectic, global-infused tunes. Their association with the Grammy-nominated artist, Yppah, led to the introduction of Ochoa to the ensemble. Inspired by Bonobo and other musicians, the trio eventually came together to create music that embodied their appreciation for global influences and diverse sounds.
Over the years, Khruangbin‘s experimented with their music while maintaining their unique sound. With ‘The Universe Smiles Upon You ii’, the band pays homage to their creativity and companionship spanning a decade. This album defies the constraints of time, taking listeners on a journey through their past while presenting a glimpse into the future.
Mixing psychedelic, soul, and dub elements, Khruangbin has etched a niche for themselves in the music landscape. Artists like Bonobo and Leon Bridges have significantly influenced their career, inspiring the band’s Ethiopian groove and Thai-inflected funk. In the ever-evolving world of music, Khruangbin has not only established their sound but also built a rich tapestry of experiences, reflected in this reinvention- a decade in the making.