By José Gandue @Gandour
I had warned you about it in the last note about Dafne Castañeda: In Peru, a vein of contemporary musical sounds is emerging that promises and demands attention from those interested in independent sound renewal. Even Peruvians themselves don't quite believe it yet, perhaps (and here the speculation is solely my own) because in the midst of the pandemic it's very difficult to confirm the growth of a scene that doesn't manifest itself with concerts or performances, and because, despite the multitude of posts on digital platforms that confirm the quality of the new projects, the most pessimistic might believe that it's all part of a fleeting trend that has emerged to counteract the current calamities. I, too, remain surprised, because amidst the discussions and the unease that I feel in the conversations I have with my contacts in Lima and the surrounding areas, In recent months I have frequently come across proposals with beautiful content, a unique sensitivity, and a sound and identity of their own., That, at a time when we need music to renew our catalog of hopes, all this becomes an oasis rarely seen on the continent. I acknowledge the possible exaggerations, but that feeling is renewed when I listen Let her scream!, new album by Inflatable Flamingo.
At this point in the review, I feel obliged to clarify something personal: I easily fall in love with very distinctive voices. Voices with special timbres that one knows one will distinguish anywhere, that, when emitted, immediately attract attention and immediately there will be more than one horrified person who will not be able to accept that one adores those intonations. Here we have the case of Maya Endo. The young singer in this quartet has many distinctive features in her performance. Her voice is raspy, gritty, reaching striking high notes, and at times she avoids lisping, occasionally recalling certain aspects of flamenco. But the most important thing about her vocal performance is that she immediately expresses and conveys what she truly feels. You can feel pain, despair, euphoria, celebration, and I'm sure that immediately infects the potential audience. It's not easy for that to be repeated with every artist; with so much cultural prejudice these days, it's almost improbable.
What does Flamenco Inflable sound like? It's a group with eclectic influences. There are moments reminiscent of Radiohead, others closer to the Spanish ballads of the seventies; in some passages of their tunes there is a closeness to what their compatriots from Kanaku y el Tigre have done, and in the guitar part there is psychedelia, something of distant funk and an elegant distortion that manages to raise the mood to the most frenetic movement. Let her scream! It's an album of contrasts, of soft moments with ukulele in the foreground, as can be seen in Silence, more tumultuous minutes that echo in Sky blue, and effective flirtations with dance as seen in its initial cut, Spree. In short, seven songs totaling just 22 minutes, a work that deserves a complete listening experience from the audience., Because here we have a gem that has earned the right to be heard by thousands without any kind of prejudice.
Friends of Zonagirante.com: The commitment remains, and I insist: We must overcome our reservations and heed the siren calls of the Peruvian independent music scene. You won't regret it. The Inflatable Flamenco is further proof of that.
