"Texas Sun" by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges
The unexpected collaboration between Khruangbin and Leon Bridges on the four song EP “Texas Sun” harmoniously unites the two artists around their shared concept of home. While their unison under Columbia Records came as a surprise to me, their respective musical influences have accompanied me through the last five years of my life. To this day, I still can’t hear Bridges’ feature on “Across The Room” or Khruangbin’s “White Gloves” without reminiscing. Understandably, the idea of putting Bridges in harmony with the independent instrumentals of Khruangbin in this EP while exciting, felt foreboding.
The first track on the EP, “Texas Sun,” overtook me with this sound reminiscent of a beckoning for a place once known as home. It presents this ‘60s back-country folk-like atmosphere that, similar to how our own memory works, softens the oppressive image of the sun into an inviting space. The second track, “Midnight,” brings about the first occurrence of vocals on the part of Khruangbin. While the western folk-like roots of “Texas Sun” touch on the concept of chasing daylight, Khruangbin’s buildup of vocals without apparent lyrics speaks on the group’s desire to create music for people of all origins. The specific shift from day to night further emphasizes this transition in focus. Instead of continuing with the idea of progress, the lyrics of Bridges evoke an atmosphere of past reflectance with lines such as “Left a haze on the window.”
Rather than embracing this reflection though, the EP transitions into the third track, “C-Side.” The title itself implies a space that doesn’t exist. The imagery of dancing accompanied by a shift to funk contrasts the folk-like melody first presented through “Texas Sun” and continued into “Moonlight.” Most every aspect of the song promotes the idea of distraction, an avoidance of reality, and a buildup to the final track of the album.
“Conversation” represents a breaking point, and finally manifests this period of reflection through vocalizing a yearning for return. The takeoff in “Texas Sun” is exciting and the journey in “Moonlight” is fascinating, but eventually, home calls back. “Conversation” is a song of extreme reflection. To me, it seems like It’s a song for Bridges to reckon with his own past. With their characteristic lack of their own vocals, Khruangbin serves to amplify his message. It’s fitting that it’s also the last song on the EP, emphasizing the fact that the yearning never ends and drags on. It speaks to the fragility of time. Bridges sings of happiness, but in the most broken voice presented yet on the EP. The evolution of his current self has created distance from his origins.
Just when the sounds of progress start to arise, the EP comes to an end. While the collaboration of these groups filled an interesting niche of untapped potential, I felt left with a half-baked product. Especially when Khruangbin is known for their long instrumental albums, with a 20 minute listening time this EP simply felt incomplete. I’ll admit that stumbling upon “Texas Sun” served as a pocket of sun in the seemingly endless month of February, I just wish they had spent more time to complete the job.
–Chris Goodall