BALTHVS - “Turkish Coffee”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…Khruangbin, Los Bitchos, Medeski Martin & Wood

Last year found Colombian instrumentalists BALTHVS releasing their sophomore full-length Cause & Effect, a strong continuation of the trio's jazzy, funky jamming. The fluidity of their guitar work finds a tone that feels like it has been filtered underwater in the most engaging way, an echoing sound that fits the psych-jam grooves that BALTHVS have so mastered. Minimal, but crucial, vocals do take more of a turn on Cause & Effect than before, but BALTHVS treat them as another instrument and bridges between their inventive instrumental sections. The path continues - five singles have been released since, ones that build their songs with even more rhythm and groove than before. (Kevin McStravick)

2022 Review: Fluid guitar lines played over funky, spacious grooves, BALTHVS achieve impact from their mostly instrumental music through tight musicianship and worldly songwriting. Their songs feel like jams that could pleasantly go on for hours, pocket rhythms flowing through deep, moving patterns. It’s a sound both hypnotic and explorative, jam music that draws more from Middle Eastern and Baltic inspiration than the jazz and prog influences that propel much improvisational rock music. BALTHVS rather can be described more as an R&B trio, digging into with soulful swagger with melodic expression.