What do you expect from a band named Krispy & The Pooch? Approaching their music, we weren’t too sure. With their wild band name and even wilder cover art, the New Zealand-born and Berlin-based duo built a pretty crazy reputation for themselves, even before their first slice of music had been released.
But now, here we are. The band’s new EP Something Strange For Change has arrived, and we can confidently say that their music is every bit as brilliantly insane as we had hoped.
On their new EP Something Strange For Change, Berlin-based Kiwi two-piece Krispy & The Pooch present a spaced-out collection of synth-driven funk gems.
Throughout the new EP, Krispy & The Pooch – made up of Simon Townsend and Kriston Batistic – glide through an irresistible concoction of funk, soul, pop, and psych to craft a sound uniquely their own. With jazz-laden guitar lines, deeply infectious bass lines, and sultry vocal hooks, the duo have developed a sound that feels simultaneously energetic and composed.
EP opener Where’s My Phone is a perfect showcase of the band’s diversity. Over the course of its three-and-a-half minute duration, the track flips seamlessly between sauntering jazz vibes and crunching psych-rock riffs.
Better is a woozy soul number that fades in and out of existence, leaving you with a calming sense of confidence. This is a theme that runs through the whole EP – Krispy & The Pooch never lack confidence, but it doesn’t feel overstated. It’s effortless, and subsequently relaxing.
The EP’s closing track, The Market, is easily the release’s most experimental. Driven by spacey synths and vibrant electronic beats, the song feels like the soundtrack to some drug-fuelled, retro-themed night club. By the time the track reaches its conclusion, you’ll have been roped in completely to Krispy & The Pooch’s idiosyncratic synth-funk sounds.
These are still early days for this Berlin-based Kiwi band, but judging by everything we’ve heard so far, I think we can safely expect plenty more quality tunes.
For now, do yourself a favour and listen to Something Strange For A Change above.
