by David Wilikofsky
Melenas hail from Pamplona, Spain, a city known more for the running of the bulls than its music scene. After multiple releases on local labels, they have signed with US based label Trouble in Mind to release Dias Raros. If there is any justice, the band has created an album that should put their local scene on the map.
The elements of these songs are familiar, but the way Melenas combine them creates something unique. You can hear driving motorik beats and washes of shoegaze fuzz mixed with jangle pop hooks and girl group harmonies. Tracks like “Primer Tiempo” or “Tres Segundos” display the alchemy of these elements perfectly. Both of these songs are instantly catchy, yet a closer listen reveals many layers. The washes of distorted guitar on the chorus of “Tres Segundos” provide atmosphere and texture to an otherwise straightforward rock tune. The twinkling keyboard lines on “Primer Tiempo” give the beat driven song an ethereal quality. The subtle mixture of these elements creates songs that reward repeated listening.
Not all songs are upbeat rockers. “El Tiempo Ha Pasado,” one of the prettiest songs on the album, has a much slower tempo. The instrumentation is pared down to just keyboard, a simple bass line and voice. The keyboard shimmers and pulses, giving the song a beautiful but mournful quality. I can’t listen to it without thinking of a different style of music, 90’s west coast twee. It especially brings to mind the best of Rocketship, a California band who used droning organs to create lush, atmospheric songs. It’s yet another genre that Melenas successfully weave into this album.
My Spanish is rudimentary at best, but you don’t need to understand the language to enjoy this album. The music here is effervescent and full of an energy that transcends linguistic boundaries, taking us on a trip through indie pop history; because of all the references you can pick out, it feels like both an old favorite and a new discovery. As I listened to Dias Raros the other day while cooking in my kitchen, I found myself dancing around the apartment without even realizing it. The joy in this album is palpable and infectious. It’s easily one of the best albums released so far this year, and it’s going to be a hard one to top.