Ross Tatanaka mainly got here out of nowhere final yr, profitable Pitchfork’s album of the yr for his or her self-titled debut. It acquired little consideration as a result of it was not out there for streaming. To be sincere, I forgot about it till Pitchfork named it #1 on their year-end checklist. Trying again, I am undecided how. Los Thuthanaka appears like no different. It is a enjoyable, jangly sound that sounds nice, prefer it’s popping out of a damaged Bluetooth speaker in your neighbor’s yard.
Observe-up EP Wak’a slows down the tempo and smooths out among the sharp edges. The identical sound palette is used, with blown audio system and samples of conventional Bolivian devices which can be equal elements pluderphonics and psychedelic rock. However Wakka is equally indebted to shoegaze. The chord progressions and melodies are extra heartrending, and the guitars are drenched in fuzz and reverb. There are horns and keys peeking by means of the combination like half-forgotten reminiscences of different songs.
Brothers Chukimmani-Kondori and Joshua Chukimia Crampton present an aural interpretation of the Aymara Genesis legend of the primary dawn over three songs, simply 18 and a half minutes lengthy. If you buy Wak’a on Bandcamp, your obtain features a PDF that tells the story in Aymara, created in collaboration with Ch’ama Native People.
Fittingly, the EP seems like a world rising from the darkness. The opening observe, “Quta (capo-kullawada),” begins with a low synth drone and chirping crickets, adopted by an Eno-esque guitar melody and a rolling, distorted drum line. “Wara Wara (capo-kullawada)” is gorgeous, but additionally terrifying. The wall of sound creates a sense of oppression and shock that’s harking back to the primary fiery rays of daylight for individuals who have all the time existed within the evening. It will definitely culminates within the type of catharsis many musicians spend their whole careers pursuing, as horns, keyboards, growling vocals, and asymmetrical guitars collide in a chaotic inferno.
By comparability, “Ay Kawkinpachasa? (capo-kullawada)” exudes a nice environment, regardless of an undeniably dense association that makes particular person devices more and more troublesome to pick. Accordion, fiddle, and keyboard-like sounds all vie for a similar sonic area, and a stuttering guitar finally takes over simply earlier than the EP ends.
For individuals who discovered the group’s self-titled document somewhat too thrilling, this EP gives a extra approachable introduction to their distinctive sound. Wak’a by Los Thuthunaka is out there on Bandcamp.
