My Spotify Wrapped this year is somewhat at odds with my Album of 2024. A ‘Van Life Folie Americana’ phase of Spring (presumably due to the actual VW trip to the Costa Brava at Easter) followed by the ‘Cinnamon Softcore Art Deco’ moment in early Summer – which I largely owe to Lana del Rey live at Reading Festival prep, has been trumped by an underdog that should Spotify have picked up on, would have read something like ‘Eclectic, Unhinged, Buenos Aires Basement Rave’ chapter.
Being a massive nerd for NPR’s Tiny Desk concerts, I began to play CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso on Youtube repeat as soon as I heard them in October, only to then have my algorithms projectile vomit their clips at me on every social platform as the Argentinian duo swiftly went viral for their wild fiesta of trap beats-meets-reggaeton rhythms with a furiously all-sexual punk rock energy.
Their album Baño Mario brings together a digital underground sound with glitched out production and a raw irreverent energy that drags you into a surreal, intimate state of pulsing electronica and intoxicating futurism. The five ‘El Tiny’ hits “Dumbai”, “El Unico”, “Mi Deseo”, “Baby Gangsta” and “La Que Puede, Puede” are joined by seven other tracks that are a kind of masterclass in controlled demolition of both sound and self. Screaming synthesisers, crashing industrial beats and genre-splicing are experimental and infectiously playful. Somehow, with all that’s going on, nothing feels forced. The mildly demonic sense of humour and swaggering chemistry between C7riel and Paco Amoroso is wild and wildly consumable.
I’ve no idea what any of the lyrics mean, save one line in English that I’ve seen on Instagram the world over with instant-convert fans clamouring for gig tickets and yelling along to: “We’ve been f@cking the same girl!” as part of the band’s world tour. But comprehension or no, this is a party I don't want to leave - gig tickets to London’s Roundhouse to see these two lil’ Buenos Aires legends live in 2025 will definitely be on my Christmas wishlist.
Three More Essential Albums of 2024:
Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter
Kendrick Lamar - GNX
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft
Musical Experience of the Year:
Camp Bestival
Track of the Year:
Fontaines DC – Starburster / Favourite
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