Munlet
Clínica De Ruidos·Transpop 2007
One of the most meaningful records released last year. The duo from Mendaro have remixed older material and have added new songs to come up with this album. Guitarist Arturo from NCC has helped out on some tracks and without even considering it really, theyíve handed us whatís possibly the record of the year in Clinica de Ruidos. Electro-punk at it´s darkest and most danceable with a pumpingly great live show to back it up. Songs like Monstruo Bicefalo and Entre Sombras have made Munlet a must-see band in 2008.
Radiohead
In Rainbows·XL Recordings 2008
Every record release from this band turns into something totally off the beaten track. Even more so this time around after they split from EMI and put the album on internet where people could download it and pay what they wanted. The actual music basically follows the path set down by their last few releases: wacky times and beats, jazz and electronic influences and songs that look more towards the future. New record company XL recordings release CD and vinyl versions at the beginning of the New Year.
Maumousse
46:03·Psilocybina diskoak 2007
Maumousse is a follow on project started by Dj Mauk. He formed the group with the musicians who played with him in his live shows. This is their second studio recording where they mix hip hop, pop and electronic with Basque, Spanish, French and English. The songs are acoustic and this adds a certain elegance to them and they´ve really grown if you compare them to what they were doing on the previous record. Loads of friends from around Hondarribi-Irun on show here as well as appearances from the members of the likes of Bad Sound System, Pinbol or K¸m. Dj .
Surfin Kaos
Tryphyllon·Gaztelupeko Hotsak 2007
There´s no lack of sex, drugs and rock&n´roll on this punk band´s third offering. A fresh slab of sound where experience takes over from speed. There are some big name guest appearances on the record (F. Muguruza, Fernando Sapo, etc...) and though this does add to the album, Surfin Kaos have long been a point of reference themselves on the Basque punk scene. The songs deal with everyday hardships and they don´t shy away from the crudeness of reality when faced by it. Surfiní Kaos are more powerful than ever on this one. They´ve thrown in a touch of psychedelic sounds and all.
Joseba Irazoki & Belardian
Pobre Gara·Hirusta Records 2007
Joseba Irazoki mixes 70s rock influences with electricity and comes up with a record full of pop-rock songs. Backed by band Belardia, Joseba has put music to lyrics by the likes of Sarrionaindia, Bitoriano Gandiaga or Mikel Taberna. The album plays with words and arrangements and is full of energy. Iban Urizar, Arkaitz Miner and Maite Arroitajauregi also appear on the record along with the band. Joseba has really come to the fore in the last ten years.
Dj Amable
Razzmatazz 07·Sinnamon Records 2007
While Razzmatazz is one of Barcelona´s trendiest clubs, it also has a really wide and interesting array of music on offer. It shies away from industry-pushed melodies and format to concentrate on its own really intense programme. You can hear everything from electronic to rock and pop and the man in charge is DJ Amable. He´s responsible for picking out the songs you´ll hear in the club at night and this record is a compilation of the stuff they´ve been playing over the last year. The second record of this double album is the better containing as it does, the most interesting bands with the most.
