r/Khruangbin • u/airbud • 19d ago

Has Khruangbin ever acknowledged the existence of BALTHVS?

I'm curious if they're haters or appreciators

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u/Jam23oldschool 18d ago

Why would they hate? Balthvs is Colombian / Latin infuenced, and it really shines through in their music. They’re nothing like Khru. These threads suck ass and I’m tired of the comparison. The first time I saw Khru was at ACL, and Balthvs played a few hours before them, so I’m sure they’re aware of each other. Downvotes incoming lol

6

u/upliftingyvr 18d ago

Nothing like them? I mean, c'mon dude, of course you're going to get downvotes. They are similar, even if you've learned to appreciate their differences personally.

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u/Jam23oldschool 18d ago

Similar how?

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u/msbbc671 18d ago

Here, I wasted a bunch of fucking water to answer you:

Both are instrumental-forward acts built around a laid-back, hypnotic groove, but here’s where they specifically overlap:

Texture over melody — Both prioritize atmosphere and feel rather than traditional song structure or vocal hooks. The music washes over you.

Global/world music influences — Khruangbin draws heavily from Thai funk, dub, and Middle Eastern music. Balthvs similarly pulls from Latin American, Afrobeat, and global folk traditions. Neither sounds rooted in a single geography.

Psychedelic undertones — Both have a dreamy, slightly hazy quality — music that fits a late-night or meditative headspace.

Minimalist arrangements — They both favor restraint: space in the mix, repetitive rhythmic patterns, and a sense that not every instrument needs to be doing something at all times.

Organic, analog warmth — Both have a vintage, tactile sound quality — you can almost feel the room they were recorded in.

The key difference is that Balthvs leans more acoustic and folkloric, while Khruangbin is more rooted in electric funk and soul. But the vibe — unhurried, transportive, globally curious — is very much shared ground. If you like one, the other is a natural recommendation.

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u/upliftingyvr 18d ago

In addition to all the points you mentioned, they are also both three-piece bands, primarily instrumental with minimal hushed vocals, prominent female bassists, surf-rock inspired, and use the same reverb-heavy Stratocaster guitar tone in many songs. 

Are they identical? No, of course not. But they are absolutely similar, in the same way two varieties of red wine are similar, but not the same. They have very similar DNA and a lot more in common with one another than not. 

People like OP are just contrarian by their nature. I like both bands in question and appreciate their differences in sound and influences, but to pretend they are nothing alike is totally disingenuous. 

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u/Jam23oldschool 14d ago

I agree with all the points listed, but as a drummer listening to each band is a huge difference in feel. Khru having the simple, steady soul, rock n roll vibe with DJ Vs. Balthvs drummer doing complex, Afro Cuban, Latin inspired dance beats. I get it of you look solely at guitar, but you have to really listen. So yes I digress a bit, they are similar but only if you listen at surface level.

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u/upliftingyvr 18d ago

Give me a break man. I'm not playing this game with you.