Copiloto "Los Puentes Hundidos"

Copiloto "Los Puentes Hundidos" (p)2015 Grabaciones En El Mar

The fourth full lenght of Zaragozan singer/songwriter Javier Almazan who hides himself under Copiloto moniker is set to release 4 years since his previous effort "El Inicio, El Desencanto Y El Circulo De Confianza" was out. Such the long hiatus usually means a lot of time to think it all over, so there wouldnt't be any surprise if "Los Puentes Hundidos" sounded opposite to his past achievements. Fortunately, if Javier had an intention to start the new life in music with this new record, then apparently he had no plans to erase all his previous career out.
The rocker tracks such as "Crecer Es Matar A Un Nino?" easily resemble the Copiloto's first effort "Defensa Del Artista Que No Existe". In its calmer moments ("Fulminado","No Me Reconozco") the new album sounds comparable to more pop-oriented "El Inicio...". The ghost of Deluxe (mostly of "If Things Were To Go Wrong" era) is floating in the air somewhere behind the right shoulder. The quiet acoustic "Ella Dice" is followed by the stormy "Uno Vs. Mundo Formal" (possibly the loudest track ever recorded by Copiloto - in this moment the ghost of Deluxe takes a step behind being replaced by the vision of the Canadian indie glam superstar Hawksley Workman). The tempo changes like in this particular pair of songs could make you feel like you're on the boat trip rocking on the waves until the synth-based slowburner "El Miedo (II)" marks the end of the journey.
Generally speaking, the sound of "Los Puentes Hundidos" is seemingly less polished, more edgy and psychedelic than on the previous albums - and it's good cos it sounds sincere, and the overall quality of songwriting makes me regret about four-year long absense of any material from this talented and creatively free musician.

The best tracks: Los Puentes Hundidos, Crecer Es Matar A Un Nino?, Uno Vs. El Mundo Formal, Ella Dice

"Los Puentes Hundidos" on Bandcamp

20 Key Labels of Contemporary Spanish Indie Scene. Part II

This is the second part of my quick guide to the key indie labels of Spain. You can read the first part here: Part I

Grabaciones En El Mar (Zaragoza) El Nino Gusano, Bigott, La Costa Brava

The specialization of this Aragonese label is psychedelic indie pop. In 90's the label became famous in close indie world through producing the albums of the cult surrealist psycho pop band El Nino Gusano. When the band splintered onto Tachenko and Muy Poca Gente the label started to produce the latter keeping the close ties with El Nino Gusano's leader Sergio Algora who spearheaded Muy Poca Gente as well as his next band La Costa Brava. Meanwhile, some other noticeable bands like Carrots, Deneuve, and the current main star of the label's roster Bigott were taken onboard. And please don't forget about Josh Rouse.
One Album To Listen To: El Nino Gusano "Circo Luso"

Jabalina Musica (Madrid) Pumuky, Parade, Apenino

At the first glance you may call Jabalina Musica and its director Tanis Abellan 'the Spanish indie pop runners-up' taking in mind that this Madrid-based label has the visible inclination to indie pop - and we all know what label is the champion of the Spanish indie pop. But at the second glance you will notice that the bands under Jabalina's wing mostly are quirkier, darker, rougher, edgier than the ones from Elefant where some bands are the sweet like honey pure pop. Another strength of Jabalina is the ability to produce the fantastic compilations. And at last but not at least - Pumuky are here.
One Album To Listen To: Pumuky "El Bosque En Llamas"

Limbo Starr (Madrid) Tachenko, Ornamento Y Delito, Is

Limbo Starr is definitely not the cockiest label on the Spain's territory but it easily can be compared to any of the top indie labels in terms of average roster quality (if such index ever existed): Abraham Boba, Cuchillo, Reina Republicana, Tachenko, El Mato A Un Policia Motorizado, Is, Modelo de Respuesta Polar... As perfect as it gets.
One Album To Listen To: Is "Istochnikov"

Marxophone (Madrid) Nacho Vegas, Leon Benavente, Ricardo Vicente

More likely the loose association of like-minded musicians than the standard releasing/copyrighting entity within the music industry, Marxophone (the name is somewhat of the cross between Karl Marx and Parlophone) was launched five years ago by Nacho Vegas, Refree and Fernando Alfaro. The core trio gradually became surrounded by L.A., Mucho, Ricardo Vicente and Leon Benavente (the much-lauded band of Nacho Vegas' companions Abraham Boba and Luis Rodriguez) so the current back catalogue of this young imprint consists of 19 high-quality releases from the Spain's high profile indie musicians.
One Album To Listen To: Leon Benavente "Leon Benavente"

Matapadre (Santiago de Compostela) Unicornibot, Disco Las Palmeras!, Guerrera

The local Galician imprint visibly has no plans on conquering the Earth: only ten albums are released to this moment. But there is no weak link in this chain - all these releases are not just good, they're fucking cool. They're earthshaking ang groundbreaking. Some of them are truly great.
One Album To Listen To: Unicornibot "Mambotron"

Mushroom Pillow (Madrid) La Habitacion Roja, Deluxe, El Columpio Asesino

Arguably the most important indie label of those that were born in the new millenium has built the reputation upon releasing the albums of La Habitacion Roja, The Sunday Drivers and Deluxe. Now Mushroom Pillow is prolonging the magic with El Columpio Asesino, Delorean, Triangulo De Amor Bizarro, We Are Standard. And La Habitacion Roja are still there.
One Album To Listen To: La Habitacion Roja "Fue Electrico"

Origami (Madrid) Havalina, Fuckaine, Rufus T. Firefly

Origami was the home for Grises. Origami was the home for Rufus T. Firefly. Origami remains the home for Havalina. For Wilhelm (with or without the dancing animals). For Fuckaine. For me there are enough reasons to take Miguel Goni-led label up in this list.
One Album To Listen To: Havalina "Las Hojas Secas"

Sello Salvaje (Sevilla) Kenedy, Blusa, Soledad Velez

Another five years old label in my list. The brainchild of Alejandro Masferron and David Facenda does not strive for notoriety but delivers some fine music like the intelligent post rock of Blusa (whose last year's effort "Toca Breakbeat, Perro!" was noticed in the rooms of the King of Spain Felipe VI) or slowly drifting from americana to indie rock Valencians Moonflower whose new album "Round Trip" is a killer from the first note to the last.
One Album To Listen To: Blusa "Toca Breakbeat, Perro!"

Sones (Barcelona) Mourn, Manos De Topo, Templeton

Sones successfully unites such the stylistically detached entites as hip/hop avant garde three-piece Delafe Y Las Flores Azules or noisy experimental duo Za! or young riot grrrl newcomers Mourn. One might call it the absence of genre policy - but in this particular case no one would call it a fault.
One Album To Listen To: Mujeres "Soft Gems"

Subterfuge (Madrid) Sexy Sadie, Mercromina, Anni B Sweet

Just like pink elephant calf of Elephant or the balancing trapeze artist of Ernie, the young hipster devil of Subterfige is the perfect confirmation of 100% quality guaranteed. Having selebrated its 25th anniversary a year ago, the label that formerly came to prominence in the middle of 90's with the release of "The Devil Came To Me", the second album of Dover, now feels fine having the renovated roster that includes Joe La Reina, Viento Smith, Vinila Von Bismark, Havoc and tons of other great bands and musicians.
One Album To Listen To: McEnroe "Tu Nunca Moriras"

P.S. While preparing this two-part document I've noticed that some remarkable labels just fell off the plate. To name a few:
Gramaciones Grabofonicas whose releases include the albums from Los Punsetes and Juventud Juche.
Two more Canary Islands-based imprints - Ruin Records and Kalma Records, both are there to explore the experimental sides of music.
Gran Derby with one of my favourite albums of Y2013 - Buena Esperanza's "Pacifica".
Underhill Records, led by two ex-members of Half Foot Outside Hans Kruger and Edu Ugarte.
Astro Discos who recently released the albums of Ninos Mutantes, Australian Blonde and Estereotypo but whose current status is not fully clear for me (they are alive, but do they release any new music as of now?).
The former music shop turned into the label Discos De Kirlian.
Tiny but lovable Andalusians Clifford Records.
The recently mentioned Records del Mundo.
So this list could last and last and last.