After the dismantling of his prior band, Beef, and after releasing 2007’s fairly well-received self-titled debut, David Rodríguez’s solo project, La Estrella de David, has returned with a colossally anticipated sophomore album named after the Venezuelan city of Maracaibo. First single “Un Último Esfuerzo” is one of the most beautiful declarations of love you’ll hear this year. Built under an unalloyed 2-chord structure that’s reminiscent of Beat Happening’s somber classic “Indian Summer," the song’s time travel passages (“sigo en el siglo 19 esperando a que se quede”) and amorous faith (“ella me da la certeza subiendo las escaleras”) are deeply moving manifestations. The video, produced by Caleidoscopio Estudio, presents a heavy-bearded (Robin Pecknold wishes he had that beard) Rodríguez relaxing at the beach, performing songs, and playing dominoes together with darlings La Bien Querida and Joe Crepúsculo, who look slovenly-cool with their Jesus and the Mary Chain-esque messy hair.
