Bogotá-based trio BALTHVS (pronounced ‘Balthus’) started making music in 2019, and they’ve been on a tear ever since—the band’s latest album, Manifest, is its sixth in seven years. And the record’s title feels fitting. With each release, this deeply psychedelic, mostly-instrumental band has reached further towards the outer edges of their sound—they’ve been manifesting Manifest for quite a few albums now. Indeed, this is the band’s best and most creative release by far.
BALTHVS shape their sound through a vivid fusion of funk, disco, Middle Eastern, jazz, cumbia and more—the lynchpin of which are the serpentine melodies of guitarist Balthazar Aguiree. Bassist Johanna Mercuriana and drummer Santiago Lizcano provide a sturdy backdrop for Aguiree to splash about. Alongside acts like Khruangbin and Hermanos Gutierrez, BALTHVS have helped popularize music that’s pure vibe—but Manifest feels like their step into a more singular sound. The grooves are heavier; they’ve introduced more vocals to the mix. This is their first real party record.
Manifest opens with “In-N-Out (Downtown)” on a stomping disco beat and an infectious, an ascending riff from Aguiree and chanting: “Goin’ downtown, gonna look around.” The song swirls and somersaults for a few minutes before it bursts open with a whirlwind of guitar—this one will be explosive onstage. “RARE PSALMS” is musical hypnosis: gorgeous and slow; close your eyes and sink into the floor. BALTHVS know what they’re doing here: they want to take you on a trip. With Manifest, it’s easy to surrender and say yes.
