“Mahal” by Glass Beams

The Melbourne trio’s trippy instrumental music is influenced by traditional and classical Indian music.

I’ve seen plenty of commenters dismiss Melbourne’s Glass Beams as Khruangbin wannabes. Which, on the one hand, I can sort of understand. Both bands are instrumental trios who play music that’s as funky as it is psychedelic while maintaining a semblance of mystery around their identities. (Khruangbin with their ridiculous wigs and Glass Beams behind some elaborately beaded masks.)

On the other hand, I don’t really care one way or the other, not when the music is this slick and enjoyable. And at the risk of being pedantic, Khruangbin owes a debt to Thai funk music while Glass Beams draws inspiration from the traditional and classical Indian music of founding member Rajan Silva’s youth. In any case, the resulting sound is an undeniably hypnotic and otherworldly blend that gets your head nodding, your feet tapping, and your body swaying.

“Mahal” is the lead single from the band’s upcoming EP of the same name, which will be released by Ninja Tune on March 22, 2024. (Glass Beams previously released the Mirage EP in 2021 on Melbourne’s Research Records.)

Enjoy reading Opus? Want to support my writing? Become a subscriber for just $5/month or $50/year.
Subscribe Today
Return to the Opus homepage