After various albums and singles, Deerhoof drops their newest album, La Isla Bonita, tomorrow, November 11th. The Spanish title – translated to “the beautiful island” – does in fact emulate the energy of an island, complete with parties and quiet nights at the bonfire. The album is an experimental compilation of tracks that are beachy and bubbly as well as slow and soothing.
Appropriately, “Paradise Girls” opens the album with techno, upbeat lyrics to set a dance party atmosphere. A quick, electric beat combined with a distorted pop guitar brings an eccentricity and alternative vibe to the album. Immediately, Deerhoof recedes with “Mirror Monster,” which embodies the ambient mood and relaxation that comes with island time. Echo effects on the guitar and airy vocals give the track and ethereal mood. Interestingly, the track takes on a different sound three quarters of the way through with a simple, somewhat ominous guitar, but then quickly returns to its original ambient style.
The eccentric sounds return with “Doom,” a track with beachy guitar riffs and lyrics representing the east coast, west coast, and everything in between. La Isla Bonita takes a turn towards punk with disconnected guitars in “Last Fad,” but keeps it soft and feminine with airy lyrics. Again, the uncommon combinations and shifts of sounds is what make this album so unique.
“Last Fad” may not have many layers – rather, it has various phases. The soft lyrics move from distinct punk guitars to quick riffs, to simple beats, to synthesizers and finally back to the soft lyrics that glue the track together.
“Tiny Bubbles” follows with a fittingly “bubbly” sound and flowing guitar loops, as well as the signature ethereal vocals to generate the relaxing aspect of the album. Deerhoof keeps their listeners awake with “Exit Only,” which features a more prominent punk style with rock guitar sounds and rebel calls.
In my experience, I’ve come across many instrumental tracks in contemporary music, sometimes as an intermission or just randomly. “God 2” appears close to the end of the album. As a great appreciator of classical music, I love to see how artists preserve and modernize the genre. “God 2” brings a fun, surfer vibe to the classical form and continues the albums techno sound.
From “God 2,” the album starts to simmer down and come to an end with “Black Pitch” and “Oh Bummer.” “Oh Bummer” opens with ambient, male vocals, different from the rest of the album, which is prominently feminine. The track also seems to stray from the past techno beats with mostly raw guitar sounds that range from deep, western riffs and high pitched strums.
Like the ocean tides, La Isla Bonita is ever changing and refreshing, constantly going from high to low, rough to calm. Deerhoof keeps listeners engaged and surprised with each track, compiled into one unique and eccentric album.
Be sure to check out Deerhoof‘s La Isla Bonita tomorrow. You won’t regret it.
3/5
Nikki grew up in an imitation German town in Georgia by the name of Helen. It wasn’t until middle school that she started to get interested in the arts: painting, music, and writing. She wrote in her diary, sketched in art class and listened to regretful music. By high school, her tastes became a little more refined. She found Fiona Apple, Lou Reed and Giant Drag, and they remain her favorites in college. She was accepted to the University of Georgia in 2012 and is currently majoring in English. Upon moving to Athens from a town with more trees than people, Nikki was a bit overwhelmed. However, there is certainly no lack of inspiration in Athens, and she appreciates its love for the arts and its service as a platform.