Elephant Kind - More Time (Alcopop! Records) 
Release Date: Out Now
There seems to be something of a burgeoning music scene in Indonesia and the latest product of that scene is the excellent Elephant Kind. The poorly tailored trio have signed to the excellent Alcopop! Records and release their third album, 'More Time', just in time to feature on some chilled summer playlists. We ease into the LP with the super relaxing 'Emotion' which sounds like you're slipping into a pool just as the sun sets and the soulful vocals drift towards you on the evening breeze. The introductory beat of 'Plan' owes more to funk than soul and wouldn't be out of place on a Prince record while the electro glitches and synths bounce with optimism and fun in every note.
There's a 90s dance aesthetic to 'Exactly What I Needed' as the piano notes get under your skin and you just want to lose yourself in the nostalgic euphoria of the whole experience (arms in the air and everything). If you're not already in love with this record then 'Hooked' will do it with a gorgeous electro bass line and club vibes bringing to mind the likes of Everything Everything and Delphic. By the time 'The Ability To Listen Before You Speak' rolls around I'm already thinking in terms of album of the year potential and the Years And Years vibe of this track only adds to that sense that this is a very, very special record.
The mellow introspection of 'This Feeling' is a moment of true calm which really shows of a vocal that is both powerful and fragile, holding its course through emotionally choppy waters. 'So Many Dayz' has a lighter, sunnier sound to it evoking images of lazy afternoons spent in city parks while 'Love Scene' has Radio 1 playlist written all over it with it's lo-fi approach and louche-pop sound making it the perfect chaser to a pint of Harry Styles. Best-song-title-of-2026 contender 'I Love The Cold Weather But Keep The Sun Around Longer' brings back the Prince sound with soul, funk, electro and pop all mixing effortlessly to make a deliciously intoxicating cocktail.
Recent single 'Man Enough' finds the band in more urgent mood to Moog chords and fuzzy guitars doing battle, creating the kind of sound that spans decades in terms of its inspirations and influences. Title track and penultimate song, 'More Time', is a brooding number that evolves into a slinky, funky groove that will have your hips and shoulders moving in no time at all. The album (of the year?) finishes with 'Strangest Thing' and it is an erotic dream for anyone who enjoys the electronic soul genre or artists like the Weeknd, Janelle Monae, or LCD Soundsystem. I don't say this very often, but if you can't find something to fall in love with on this album then I don't think we can be friends. There, I said it.
More information: https://www.instagram.com/elephantkind/
Live Dates:
7th May - Krapela, Jakarta
14th September - Brighton - The Folklore Rooms
16th September - Portsmouth - Wedgwood Rooms
18th September - Cardiff - Fuel Rock Club
20th September - Chelmsford - Hot Box Live
22nd September - Norwich - The Waterfront
24th September - Blackpool - Bootleg Social
26th September - Glasgow - SWG3 Poetry Club