The fourth full length release from Veracruz’s Tajak is a somewhat dark and brooding lp combining unique instrumentation and various aspects of experimental, dreampop and shoegaze into emmersive overall sound. Each of the 7 tracks on the LP are quite long and evolve slowly throughout, sometimes ending up in completely different realms from where they started. Lots of electronics. sound effects and bass driven moments here amongst the swirling ethereal vocals. “La-Sombra-Del-Agua” begins with industrial sounds of scraping metal that gives way to dark drones before kicking into a dirge-like dreampop haze that ebbs in and out amongst the experimentation. “Dulce Amargo” is again at a dirge-like pace that slowly evolves over its course building and building its dense layers. “Soñar Es Despertar” starts off as quite a long experimental journey before getting to the familiar bass and vocal stylings. Lots of strange effects flying about on this one. “Las Ruinas De La Ambición” has bit of a different off-beat thing going on with its consistant bassline. “La Puerta” is a bit less dark with some higher guitar playing and like the other tracks here kind of builds its way to chaos. “Luz De Luna” and “La Desmitificación Del Ser” close things out really embrace the shoegaze with their fuzz sound and faster pace driving the song over their extended courses.
There are some really good moments on this release. but i think perhaps it may be a bit overagressive as a double LP. Certainly getting through all four sides in a single listen might prove to be a bit of a challenge. But each of the legthy tracks certainly stand on their own as quality listens. A very different album than something like Amsterdam 211, their second LP, which was alot more agressive and punkier.
Available from Little Cloud Records and Acid Test via Cardinal Fuzz Records
