Sonorama 2016

Yesterday was the day. Yesterday the management of Sonorama announced the full list of bands (split by days) for the coming August event, simultaneously adding to the roster almost 50 bands last signed to - including such the groundbreaking names as Delorean, for example.

It's gonna be a busy week. Out of total 117 names (yes, I've counted all of them up) I've chosen 20 names to watch by all means or die trying, 25 more names to watch avoiding health threats, and 30+ - to try to watch if there be the possibility.  Aaaaahhh my legs, aaaaahhh my respiratory system.

Sorry Kate "Haven Hood"

Sorry Kate "Haven Hood" (p)2016 Foehn

A mix of all with everything where nothing is what it seems. The fractured, the shattered, the strangely attractive and absolutely mindblowing release of Madrid-based experimental rock combo. Freak folk, dubstep, glitch, abstract hip hop, dreampop, psychedelic rock, kraut rock, etc. - all amalgamated into one strange brew which causes the hypnotic effect to the listener. An adventurous listening indeed. During the first couple of tracks you have to adjust your mind and auditory nerve fibers to embrace the sound, and then sound embraces you, and you feel like it's the greatest kind of music you've ever heard.

The best tracks: Slave Mistake, Playing Dead VHS, Lo Bueno se Termina

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Nocturnos "Hemos Visto Lobos"

Nocturnos "Homes Visto Lobos" (p)2016 INUIT Prod.

If the previous album of Nocturnos ("Pequenas Esperanzas") was more or less straightforward indie pop/rock, then the new effort is sin duda more diversified both rhythmically and sonically. The digitally-generated effects and dance beats have won over the familiar guitar sound on the most of the tracks. While "Fantasia Liberal" (track #2) and "Exclusiva Universal" (tracks #11) sound like they're recorded during the "Pequenas Esperanzas" sessions, eight tracks in between them are decorated in the different sub-genres of modern electronica-based indie pop with the wide range of influences: from such compatriot colleagues as Miss Caffeina, Love Of Lesbian (in their latest incarnation), Nino Burbuja, El Ultimo Vecino to the international charttoppers Balthasar. As on previous Nocturnos' efforts all the songs here are undeniably melodic and beautiful. But something in me starts crying when one more cool guitar-oriented band abandons guitars in favor of synthesizers.

The best tracks: Fantasia Liberal, Lo Sabes Bien, Navaja Y Filo, Exclusiva Universal

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Big Summer "Trigger"

Big Summer "Trigger" (p)2016 El Genio Equivocado

"Trigger" appears to be the dreampop guidebook that successfully showcases the different branches of the genre, from earlier 4AD efforts through the Yo La Tengo's subtle feedback-laden melodicism to the present day sonic experiments of, for instance, Autolux. Moreover, the album has the touches of tender neo-psychedelic breeze used just to tint the sound without creating that trippy stonehead atmosphere over there.
The first thing I should point out is that there are no unremarkable songs here at all.

Starting from the fragile Lush-flavoured track "Sprong" and up to the 'delicate verse/edgy chorus' closer named "Velvet" every song has its own taste.
The first half of "Poster Boys" is where the band gets closest to 'the hit' before the melody is drowned in the harsh noise rather been expected from someone like The Jesus & Mary Chain in the second half of the track. "Love & Alcohol" and "Gotta Get Better" are the ones where the Yo La Tengo DNA is the best determinable (you can almost hear the latter sung by Georgia Hubley). "Song For Los Muertos" is some kind of 'surf on sedatives' while the next track, the bass-driven "Mess" (probably the best track off the album) slowly evolves from trembling starlight nightsong to the 90's indie rock winner with the perfectly stirred-up guitars. And then "Space Invader" comes from L7/Babes In Toyland side of the world...
So here's what I'm trying to say: while it has a myriad of influences in itself, "Trigger" is not a set of separate and disjointed details that can't be aggregated into one entity but a tight well-constructed system where every piece is on its place and where the differences between the components are only proving their unity.

Best tracks: Poster Boys, Sprong, Mess, Gotta Get Better, Space Invader


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Wild Animals "Basements: Music To Fight Hypocrisy"

Wild Animals "Basements: Music To Fight Hypocrisy" (p)2016 BCore Disc in collaboration with multiple labels

It's a punk rock record, and it's a damn good punk rock record. It's fresh, it's melodic, it's driving and cool. It could be easily comparable to the best moments of Descendents or Lagwagon (in their early incarnation, when Joey Cape's modus operandi in songwriting wasn't spoiled yet by the untimely passings of his close friends Derrick Plourde and Tony Sly), so it's the real pleasure to spend 25 minutes of your precious time in the company of these short fast and addictive tracks. 

This album in BCore Disc Bandcamp

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Joan Colomo "Sistema"

Joan Colomo "Sistema" (p)2016 BCore Disc

"Sistema" is the new album of Barcelonian singer/songwriter Joan Colomo (Zeidun, La Celula Durmiente, The Unfinished Sympathy) released via BCore Disc. There are 14 tracks mostly sung in Catalan. The tracks rarely exceed 3 minutes - but the relations either to lo-fi punk or to some kind of 'collection of sketches'-like album are not evident. The album - despite its mostly acoustic core - is quite eclectic (read: diversified and multifaceted). Fortunately, from pure acoustic strumming of "Nada" to tiny indie pop of "Un Nantes Y Un Despues" to pop grandeur "Enmienda A La Totalidad" (my favourite track on the album on par with Josh Rouse-inspired "Sentit Comun") to quiet fingerpicking of "Les Coses" to upbeat power pop of "Nucleo Duro" you won't find any trace of dissociation within this system. Joan sounds absolutely organic and natural in every direction and every land he steps on. Definitely one of the best albums of 2016 so far.

The best tracks: "Enmienda A La Totalidad", "Tristesa", "Les Coses", "Sentit Comu", "Eclipse De Sol"

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A Pack Of New Videos #1

Please find below some videos that appeared on air during the first months of the year. Enjoy!

1. Clara Plath "American Do"


2. Les Suecues "Faldilles I Soroll"


3. Paciente Cero "Solsticio"


4. Nocturnos "Rey Absolutista"


5. Cumbia Ebria "Baila Conmigo"