By José Gandue @Gandour Photos @rociomascayano
Every good artist inevitably establishes, as their career develops, his own hallmarks, his repetitive elements, those details that distinguish him, that make us say «"Ah, this song sounds like..."». That in no way devalues the product, on the contrary: It gives it identity. But the immediate mission the musician must undertake is to record variety and seek to surprise their audience with each new recording. It's about showing how, starting from a basic essence, there are a multitude of possibilities. to develop and spread the spirit of beauty achieved from the beginning.
Upon seeing the announcement of Fran Straube's new EP and his project Blond, called Existence, I was initially expecting something I'd like, but I suspected it would come in the form of "B-sides," recordings that had been left in the drawer while we were coming out of quarantine. I was expecting something I would listen to with more affection than curiosity, searching for a hidden surprise of just a few seconds. Yes, I confess: I thought that Existence It was going to be a compilation of songs for a transitional phase. But no, I was wrong, thankfully.
Sure, there are four songs, and right away you'll find Rubio's recognizable traits: Intense use of vocoder in a large part of the vocal interventions, long reverberations and a very particular instrumental darkness, very much his own. But, establishing those qualities as a foundation, the need for risk is felt from the very first second., to add the unexpected. Water, The opening track of the publication is suddenly interrupted by an unusual Spanish acoustic guitar, opening up a new perspective. Companion, The voice deepens even more, becoming unintelligible at times, in a fight similar to that of someone who defiantly faces their darkest moments. Iceberg Child It's an anthem with a twisted trip-hop flavor, which grows in the choruses like a proclamation, but which, After a few seconds, he returns to tranquility, to reflection., becoming a kind of emotional roller coaster lasting almost four minutes.
But the best moment of this compilation is the third track. I just want you to save me It's the wink Straube gives us to show us a new route, another way to embrace her music and preserve our devotion to it. Here the speed varies, it opens up to a sharper mix and resorts to more hopeful weapons. We imagine her sitting on the edge of a precipice, but with her best smile, with the most exciting of his personal requests, delivering one of his most intimate speeches, a beautiful expression of love, which comes more than in time for the times we live in.
Yes, it's still a great pleasure to listen to Rubio's new releases. Fran Straube continues her upward trajectory, never playing it safe and always seeking the happy discomfort of her listeners.