Havoc "Amado Lider"

Havoc "Amado Lider" (p)2017 Subterfuge

"The ideal pop music for the better world" - that's exactly what I wrote about "Lo Saben Los Narvales", the previous album of Pedro Gracia Perez de Viñaspre aka Havoc. It was released in 2014, and between now and then there was an event that consolidated my opinion on Havoc as one of the most promising indie musicians of the nation: his performance at Sonorama 2015. Back then in August 2015 there was the twinkle of miracle when I decided to escape from the show of Xoel Lopez (whom I really adore) to see Havoc whose show unfortunately coincided with Xoel's in the time schedule. That was one of those decisions you recall for years because Pedro and his band were undoubtedly amazing. So for me personally his new album was one the most anticipated records set to release in 2017.
Now I am happy to declare that my expectations were not in vain. “Narvales” were good but “Amado Lider” is the way better. The first thing I’d like to emphasize is that Pedro walks against the common trend and - while many of his peers are drifting from guitars to synths - he adds more guitars to the mix, thus creating one of the most intelligent noise pop albums I ever heard. Next thing to enjoy is the perfectly balanced sound production: it is clean and shiny, but it's not too polished to be considered overproduced. And, finally - this album consists of the great tunes composed with the precise pop feel. In the better world every single song on this album (with possible omission of "Oh, Master!") could be a hit.
A mandatory listen and one of the best records of the year.

P.S. "Sabotage" really knocked me off my feet.

The best tracks: Sera, Siberia, Cometas, Fluor, Sabotage

SUBTERFUGE
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Top30 albums of 2017 so far. Semi-annual poll

(in alphabetical order)

Aldrin Y Collins "Escuchas" (p)BCore Disc - bandcamp

Arista Fiera "Simetria Par" (p)self-released - bandcamp

Anchord "As A Real Return" (p)Saltamarges/BCore Disc - bandcamp

Black Mirrors "No Colours For Concern" (p)El Hombre Bala - bandcamp
Cala Vento "Fruto Panorama" (p)BCore Disc - bandcamp

Captains "Captains" (p)Jabalina Musica - bandcamp

Clara Plath "Yes, I'm Special" (p)Flor Y Nata - bandcamp

Cosmen Adelaida "Dos Caballos" (p)El Genio Equivocado - bandcamp

Diola "Diola" (p)BCore Disc - bandcamp

Disciplina Atlantico "Gran Oriente" (p)Limbo Starr - spotify

Exquirla "Para Quienes Aun Viven" (p)Superball Music - spotify

Havoc "Amado Lider" (p)Subterfuge - spotify

I Am Dive "Music For The Silent Running" (p)WeAreWolves - bandcamp

Jay "Fuimos Nosotros" (p)Matapadre - bandcamp

Karen Koltrane "Album" (p)Foehn - bandcamp

Les Sueques "Moviment" (p)El Genio Equivocado - bandcamp

Maresme "Golden Coast" (p)Foehn - bandcamp

Me And The Bees "Menos Mal" (p)La Castanya - bandcamp

Niños Mutantes "Diez" (p)Ernie Producciones - official site

Os Bru "Hvala" (p)Indian Runners - bandcamp

Oso Miel Oso "Debut" (p)Discos De Menta - bandcamp
Pau Vallve "Abisme Cavall Hivern Primavera I Tornar" (p)self-released - bandcamp

Ran Ran Ran "L'Hereu" (p)Bankrobber - bandcamp

Rufus T. Firefly "Magnolia" (p)LagoNaranja - bandcamp

Saïm "Accidents" (p)Bubota Discos - bandcamp

Shepherd "Mystic Wave" (p)self-released - bandcamp

Tuya "A War Is Coming" (p)El Rayo Verde - bandcamp

Ultim Cavall "Records De Kyoto" (p)Discos De Kirlian - bandcamp

Vol Menor "Contracorrent A L'Instint" (p)self-released - bandcamp

When Nalda Became Punk "Those Words Broke Our Heart" (p)Discos De Kirlian - bandcamp

Jay "Fuimos Nosotros"

Jay "Fuimos Nosotros" (p)2017 Matapadre

I recall listening to the previous Jay's disc (released via now defunct Discos Humeantes imprint) "Los Colegas No Te Olvidan". I recall finding that record lacking form and core and essence - the malfunction many neo-psych albums are suffering from. But, fortunately, the new album is much more concentrated effort where all components look neither like disjointed needless extras falling apart like the crumbs falling off the plate, nor like the aimless sonic porridge, a cock-a-hoop of sounds drowning in its own helplessness. Apparently "Fuimos Nosotros" was made with the clear vision what the final result should be. So the result is another strong addition to the faultless Matapadre catalogue with few weaknesses ("Potrera") and a lot of really enjoyable moments.

Best tracks: El Fondo Del Mar Esta Lleno De Valientes, Crisis de Indentidad, Si Te Desanime


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Les Sueques "Moviment"

Les Sueques "Moviment" (p)2017 El Genio Equivocado

"Educacio Fisica" was the pretty nice album, but in comparison to the new effort it sounds just like a try, like an attempt at writing. "Moviment" is denser, louder, catchier and more multilayered. It is more refined almost in every possible way (it was partially recorded in London - maybe this fact affected the final result. Maybe not). While the songs improved this didn't affect the fact the band's still got the vibe that could cause unintentional dancing while listening to the album. And I can't help but feel this is how 'the next step' should sound like.

P.S. Just to remind you: "Educacio Fisica" itself was really nice album, and the superiority of the new record doesn't make it any worse. 

The best tracks: Accio, Tu Em Caus Molt Be, Dones Antigues, Res, Tu Parles Molt

BANDCAMP

Disciplina Atlantico "Gran Oriente"

Disciplina Atlantico "Gran Oriente" (p)2017 Limbo Starr

I've never considered myself a massive fan of post punk, but obviously some of the albums I adore the most are based upon it: Igloo's "#2. La Transición de Fase", Villanueva's "Viajes de Ida", to name a few - and now Disciplina Atlántico's "Gran Oriente". The most frequently talked fact about Disciplina Atlantico is the band's close connection to Ornamento Y Delito. It's hard to avoid the similarities in both bands' sound - call it the family ties or DNA - but Disciplina Atnantico stands out as a valid creative force and deserves to be reviewed without any comparisons or accusations of being derivative.
This is loud. This is disturbing. The guitars are buzzing and clanging and scraping the strings of your nerves. The synths are pouring some frosty suspense to the picture, and the voice of Ricardo is splattering with sarcasm - it sounds like he's not in good terms with the things he sings about. Even when he narrates neutral or positive subjects (like, for instance, revealing "A Woman Under The Influence" to be his favorite John Cassavetes' movie) it sounds like there's a false bottom to  it.
This music wasn't made to please you in the easiest of ways. Rather it's made to test you, to sort you out: are you in, or should you get the fuck out.
For me, I'm surely in.

The best tracks: Confeti Sobre Fondo De Sangre, Esto Huele Como Espiritu Adolescente, Pantano (Mierda De), Una Mujer Bajo La Influencia

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Disciplina Atlantico in Limbo Starr

Ultim Cavall "Records De Kyoto"

Ultim Cavall "Records De Kyoto" (p)2017 Discos De Kirlian

You cannot judge the book by its cover, says the canon. However, sometimes the cover says it all, and, frankly, in the past I’ve purchased a lot of records having never listened to a single song by a certain band, making my decision only by the first glance at the album’s cover. The truth is if I accidentally run into a physical copy of Ultim Cavall’s “Records De Kyoto” I’d buy it without much thinking. And it would be cool cos the album is a delight. It is unpolished record, it is the record that can’t manage to stay within the firm frames. What is it really? Indie pop? Noise pop? Psychedelic folk? The tiny folk song gets clouded by the fuzz fog and drifts into the psych-pop field under the nugaze pennant - it’s something like that. It’s not a calculated record, you can almost physically feel like it moves along only by the instincts - and that’s what makes it truly perfect.

The best tracks: Recors De Kyoto, Tempestes De Sorra, Soc El Monstre

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Mision Pelutti "Cuentamelo Despues"

Mision Pelutti "Cuentamelo Despues" (p)2016

I like Cadiz. I've never been there, but for some reason I like it very much. Just look over it on the map - how could one not fall in love with it?!
One more reason to love Cadiz is it's burgeoning indie scene with remarkable past (El Hombre Burbuja, Los Hermanos Dalton) and encouraging present (Homeless, Detergente Liquido). Mision Pelutti is the new entry to Cadiz indie - though, I believe, every one in this trio has the music-related past. Initially I thought "Cuentamelo Despues" is an EP, but the band continues to uplodad the new tracks to the album's bandcamp page, so probably in the next couple of months it will grow to the full-blown longplay. Musically it is indie pop at its best: funny. breezy, touched by the light psychedelia - and it's recorded with the wilful negligence in lo-fi aestetics. The lyrics are typical for the genre concentrating on different 'you & me' things - both good or bad - with multiple la-la-la's in choruses. Spain itself has the excellent traditions in indie pop (the back catalogues of Elefant Records and/or Jabalina Musica say it all) so there's no surprise a debut album by a young band could be so fresh and promising.

BANDCAMP

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