Preview: forget your troubles with 'Ótimos Tempos' from Mallorquín
The Hong Kong and Tokyo based label deliver a four-track EP that’s full of character
The wonderful boutique label Palms & Charms return to treat us to another slab of eccentric Balearica on their latest offering.
Their ninth release comes from Mallorquín, a nom de plume of label co-owner Samuel Bruce. The first track is 'Ótimos Tempos', which, fittingly, means 'good times' in Portuguese. The mid-tempo groove has a distinctly live feel thanks to its non-mechanical sounding drum track, loose arrangement and feel-good guitar licks. The cut builds over a warm synth bass, enlivened by crisp percussion and soaring strings. The guitar melody provides the hook here, and the music overflows with happy-making charm and eccentric character.
'Yellow Machine' has a distinctly post-punk feel. Built over a steady electro drum track, its richly melodic synth parts, quirky vocal chops and raw arrangement give it a low-fi, experimental tone. It comes on like some kind of new-wave, bedroom-pop hybrid, in a very good way. The experimental feel continues into the sparsely arranged 'The Last Place On Earth', which also comes with a remix from The Beat Broker. Again the synth melody has a twisted pop feel, while the ringing guitar and phasing cabasa gives the track an eerie quality. The Beat Broker's version solidifies the arrangement, adding blissful pads and bitter-sweet instrumentation to take the music deep into sunset territory.
An excellent EP full of imagination and distinctive appeal, each track manages to echo with ocean-side wonder without sounding in the least bit predictable.
Mallorquín 'In the Last Place on Earth EP' is out on August 21. You'll be able to buy via the Palms & Charms Bandcamp page, here
