[REVIEW] Kraak & Smaak Stun With Psychedelic Brilliance on ‘Velvet Seas’

★★★★

Dutch trio Kraak & Smaak have released their seventh record, Velvet Seas, under their own label, Boogie Angst.

Having built their career as a globally acclaimed electronic disco-funk live act, the three-piece have carved out a distinct reputation as one of the Netherlands’ most dynamic musical exports since their inception in 2003. Writing their latest project between their shared hometown of Leiden and the sun-drenched haven of Los Angeles, the soulful outfit set out to capture a West Coast ambience while remaining unmistakably Kraak & Smaak – avant-garde, experimental, and brimming with funk.

From the get-go, shimmering psych textures and a distinct cinematic quality define the LP – not a far cry from their 2023 release, Twenty, yet categorically individual in its unique blend of serenity, Americana influence, and jazz-infused elements. From the rhythmic riffs of ‘Herbs & Wine’ to the sonic haze of ‘Nothing Is Forever’, both perfectly paired with nonchalant lyrics and layers of distorted brilliance, Velvet Seas opens with notable strength.

The record also bears witness to standout collaborations with their contemporaries, including international vocalists like PWNT (of Rio Kosta), Butter Bath, The Undercover Dream Lovers and Kainalu, in addition to the trio’s familiar live collaborators IVAR, Izo FitzRoy and Berenice van Leer. To longtime fans, the long list of collaborators on Velvet Seas won’t come as a surprise, especially since their 2016 team-up with electropop giants Parcels on ‘Stumble’, but here the band’s collaborative spirit truly shines on the feel-good ‘Travel Light’ and the irresistible ‘Isn’t It Strange’ – two breezy anthems set to become firm fan favourites.

Journeying through the psychedelic tapestry that Kraak & Smaak paint so effortlessly throughout Velvet Seas brings us to their stunning title track. Dreamy vocals from Izo Fitzroy wash over the luscious lyrics (“Feel the rush over your skin / Way back to the starry nights and the velvet seas”), making for a truly special track guaranteed to elicit goosebumps in a live setting.

While ‘Come What May’ draws strong parallels to tracks found on Tame Impala’s InnerSpeaker, ‘Morning Reverie’ goes on to bring what can only be described as an abundance of light to the record – a real highlight for those looking for a new anthem to inject life into the mundane.

Arguably the catchiest cut on the album, ‘Real Love’ features lyrics not dissimilar to the Father John Misty classic ‘Real Love Baby’ (“I want real love / I want real love with you…”) interjected with groove-fuelled riffs and synthy percussion. A true continuation of the love-letter sensibility threaded throughout the album, and perhaps an ode to the free-love era that so deeply influences their signature psychedelic sound.

Wrapping up with ‘Open The Blinds’, the record closes with a sense of synthetic sunshine injected into an otherwise bleak and cold period – both seasonally and societally. Though it may not position itself as the most experimental psych record out there, it represents a clear progression for the band in terms of self-expression, rich influences, and new, international musical alliances.

With a robust reputation as European tastemakers, Kraak & Smaak are poised to take Velvet Seas to the global stage on next year’s world tour. Crafted to bring the grandeur of live arenas into every speaker and headphone, the album is built to come alive on stage, promising a live experience as bold and immersive as the record itself.