June 10th, 2006
Juana Molina - Son ****
Listening to the wistful philosophy of Juana Molina, it’s hard to believe, that in another life, she was one of Argentina’s biggest TV comedy stars. Here, she coyfully tells us stories over guitar and we think we’ve found another talented singer songwriter. And then you start to notice something else: eccentric electronic flourishes and experimental vocal sounds that draw on nature. On ‘Rio Seco’, guitars sound like whales, birdsong pops up throughout and ‘Yo No’ uses huffed and puffed breaths as percussion. ‘Las Culpas’ uses a hybrid of odd harmonies (not far off double-tracking) and a seriously barritone cello that has a crazy Egyptian soundtrack feel. that Skewed synths that dip atonally are used with liberal abandon and quite often things sound out of tune - but it works - and you’re hooked.
Son is a completely unique piece of work, but it’s also like imagining Astrid ‘Girl From Ipanema’ Gilberto tinkering about with keyboards and samplers. It’s an unusual collection, summed up by ‘La Verdad’ - a gorgeous, musing piece that blends her soft vocals, dusty old synths, birdsong and percussion.