Dutch electronic trio Kraak & Smaak releases their eagerly awaited seventh album Velvet Seas via their own label Boogie Angst on October 24th.
Their latest body of work, Velvet Seas, feels like both a continuation and a rebirth. Written between the cobblestones of Leiden and the sun-drenched haze of Los Angeles, the 13-track album absorbs West Coast colour, shimmering psych textures, deep funk roots, and cinematic breadth, while staying true to that inimitable Kraak & Smaak pulse Velvet Seas they describe “feels like both a continuation and a rebirth”.
A constellation of collaborators orbits this record, from longtime allies IVAR and Berenice van Leer to new collaborators such as; Izo FitzRoy, Butter Bath, The Undercover Dream Lovers, iogi, Kosta G (of RIO KOSTA and formerly known as PWNT), and Kainalu.
The album opens with ‘Midnight Cowboy’, a grand overture blending 70s funk, psychedelia, and cinematic flair, setting the tone for a vibrant musical journey. ‘Herbs & Wine’ introduces IVAR’s soulful vocals in a smoky, Stax-inspired slow burner, while ‘Nothing Is Forever’, featuring Kosta G, drifts through soft synths and reflective melodies. The energy soars in ‘Travel Light’, a euphoric mix of orchestral strings, funk guitar, and brass that evokes open-air celebration. ‘Heat’, with Butter Bath, brings a breezy, psych-pop groove, and the title track ‘Velvet Seas’, powered by Izo FitzRoy’s gospel vocals, emerges as a radiant, life-affirming centerpiece.
The album’s second half deepens its dreamy textures and collaborations. ‘Isn’t It Strange’ with The Undercover Dream Lovers shimmers in hazy psychedelia, while ‘All I Need’ with iogi channels 70s warmth and mellow nostalgia. IVAR returns for the catchy ‘Come What May’, followed by the serene ‘Morning Reverie’, a duet with Berenice van Leer that feels like dawn breaking. ‘Real Love”, with Kainalu, fuses psychedelic funk and cosmic soul, while ‘Ear to the Ground’ offers a laid-back, West Coast groove. The finale, ‘Open the Blinds’, reunites IVAR and Berenice in a joyous, funk-driven send-off – a burst of sunlight that closes the album with renewal and optimism.
Alongside the new album, Kraak & Smaak are gearing up for an extensive run of European tour dates this fall and into 2025. The trio are performing an album release show for their return to Amsterdam Dance Event, where they’ll headline Melkweg on October 22nd – a fitting homecoming moment at one of electronic music’s most influential gatherings. They will bring their celebrated live show and DJ sets to audiences across the continent, with highlights including stops in Madrid, Barcelona, Budapest, and Brno. From intimate club nights to festival main stages, the shows promise to capture the energy and eclectic spirit of Velvet Seas in full force.
Made up of Oscar de Jong, Wim Plug and Mark Kneppers, Kraak & Smaak have spent the past 20+ years carving out a global reputation as one of the Netherlands’ most dynamic electronic acts – blending disco, funk, house and soul into their own distinct, analogue-rich sound. They’ve played everywhere from Coachella, SXSW, Glastonbury and Sziget, to late-night U.S. TV, and have remixed artists like Moby, Röyksopp and Aretha Franklin.
The Dutch trio release Velvet Seas on October 24th, the anticipated album from the recognised electronic trio and live act.
Kraak & Smaak – Velvet Seas
Track List:
1 · Kraak & Smaak – Midnight Cowboy
2 · Kraak & Smaak – Herbs & Wine (feat. IVAR)
3 · Kraak & Smaak and Kosta G – Nothing Is Forever
4 · Kraak & Smaak – Travel Light (feat. IVAR)
5 · Kraak & Smaak and Butter Bath – Heat
6 · Kraak & Smaak and Izo FitzRoy – Velvet Seas
7 · Kraak & Smaak and The Undercover Dream Lovers – Isn’t It Strange
8 · Kraak & Smaak – All I Need (feat. iogi)
9 · Kraak & Smaak – Come What May (feat. IVAR)
10 · Kraak & Smaak – Morning Reverie (feat. Berenice van Leer)
11 · Kraak & Smaak and Kainalu – Real Love
12 · Kraak & Smaak – Ear to the Ground
13 · Kraak & Smaak – Open the Blinds (feat. IVAR & Berenice van Leer)
Kraak & Smaak Tour Dates:
Oct 22: ADE/Melkweg, Amsterdam
Nov 7: Paard, The Hague
Nov 19: Teatro Magno, Madrid
Nov 20: Razzmatazz, Barcelona
Nov 21: Akvarium, Budapest
Nov 22: Akvarium, Budapest
Nov 23: Fleda, Brno
Jan 16: Hedon, Zwolle
Jan 22: Doornroosje, Nijmegen
Feb 14: Winter Jazz Bakuria, Georgia
May/June: USA tour
[Photo credit: Sanja Marusic]
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