Hypnomango EP, HypnomangoNene Records, Mexico
Rating: 79
By Enrique Coyotzi
From Monterrey, Mexico rises René Rodríguez’ noise pop project Hypnomango. Rodríguez has recently become the guitarist and newest member of soon-to-takeover indie rock pioneers Bam Bam. Earlier in December of 2010, ClubFonograma's editor Carlos Reyes commented that Hypnomango EP killer-opening track “El Mundo No Es Real” “could translate into ‘No Hope Kids’, but this one is actually alive”, and I agree. Unlike Wavves’ Nathan Williams whose work, at its worst, can be perceived as a soulless experience (see 2009’s Wavvves), there’s plenty of life and mind-bursting energy in Hypnomango EP to assure Rodríguez as a passionate artist, one that might be seeking to achieve Thurston Moore/Lee Ranaldo status in the future.
Teamed up with Mou (Bam Bam, XYX) in the production, this release features five songs that showcase Hypnomango’s abilities as a guitarist, as well as his appreciation for dirty textures and distortion. So far we’re already familiar with “El Mundo No Es Real” and its anthemic power; strenuous dissonant guitar work, crashing drums, some “oooohs” in between verses and a solid vocal melody make this track an on-repeat favorite of the year. “No Te Sientas Mal” borrows influence of EVOL and Sister, two classic albums by Sonic Youth, although the production and overall feeling resembles the NYC legends Dirty era. The EP’s most chaotic, uncomfortable moment comes with “No Puedo Salir al Mar”; the song’s climax arrives towards the ending when Rodríguez groans desperately “no puedo volar, no puedo salir al mar si no estás” – the rawest moment on the record and it lasts just for a few seconds. The only real letdown here is “Neuronas”; the track feels incomplete, out of place and doesn’t go anywhere. “Flotando” is a total stoner piece; saturated feedback and shoegaze ambience converge on a trippy closing note.
If I’m not mistaken, these songs should translate amazingly live. I can almost picture the crowd and the scene: barely suffocating heat, sweaty shirts, the smell of weed and even an inoffensive mosh-pit initiated by newly enthusiasts. The bad news is that probably Hypnomango EP will be overlooked and unheard by a great number people by the end of the year, but hey, those of us who have embraced it and appreciated it know that Rodríguez is one of the new most talented individuals in the field, and that this impressive debut album is merely a warm up for the real deal.
♫♫♫ "No Te Sientas Mal"