Melenas - ‘Ahora’ review
Melenas by Dani Canto
Originating from Pamplona, Spain near the Pyrenees mountains, Spanish indie-pop group Melenas have today released Ahora, an alternative-synth-pop album with quite a few gems.
Ahora cover art
Starting out in 2016, Melenas has released several singles and two albums, Melenas and Dias Raros. Their quartet is comprised of four very talented women: Oihana, Leire, Maria, and Lauri. Oihana sings lead vocals and plays guitar and keyboards; Leire plays bass and sings backing vocals; María plays keyboards; and finally, Lauri is on drums and also backing vocals.
Their new album Ahora, out today, is about “the importance of time, to reflect on how we live our everyday lives, with whom we share our moments and how we want (or don’t want) to do it.” The word “ahora” means “now” in English, but can also refer to an event in the not-too-distant past or future; it’s a state of living in the now. With this release, Melenas intends to “convey a moment of halting and reflecting on the present to know what we want to remain and what we need to leave behind.”
An example of these themes can be heard in their fourth track, “Dos pasajeros.” A specific phrase is repeated as the song begins to finish up: “que yo siempre te llevo conmigo,” translating to “that I always take you with me.” Is the passenger us – the listener – or is it someone dear to the vocalist? The lyric could easily serve as a reflection of times spent together traveling with a loved one, perhaps someone no longer here. As a side note, I particularly love what the organ contributes to the album, touching at gospel and ‘70s pop influences. You can’t go wrong with a bit of church organ!
Going a little further into Ahora, if you want something promising and exciting, their second track, “K2,” will take you on an electrifying ride. Infused with tastes of the punk rock era of the late ‘70s, taking some inspiration from bands like The Undertones, “K2” features a catchy bass riff and a lovely synth sensation vibing throughout the whole track with a steady underlying drum beat. The topic of reflection that Melenas said was so vital to the making of this album seems to be present in this song
With a heavy dose of nostalgia and hinting at genres like Chiptune, fans of ‘80s synth-pop and lush electronica will like their sixth track, “Bang.” One can almost see visions of video games from previous generations. There’s something almost celebratory about it, too; the music provokes such a lifted and invigorated feeling. There’s a sense of riding on a wave of bursting energy. The music video features the captivating Pyrenees mountains in the background, fitting the confidence and empowerment this song motivates.
If you’re searching for music to fade out your summer to, Ahora will be the right fit for you with its upbeat and encouraging melodies. I look forward to hearing more from Melenas.
Ahora from Melenas is out now via Troubled In Mind Records and available on all good streaming platforms.
