Transmisiones: Cuba

Transmisiones: Cuba is a compilation of artists who have grown up in a more digitally open environment since the mass adoption of mobile internet in the otherwise closed off Communist state. This has resulted in more immediacy for the island’s music production.

However things are far from perfect given the instability of the country’s electrical system and frequent power outages though this doesn’t seem to effect champagne socialists such as the reprehensible Hassan Piker who enjoyed full power at the five star Marques de la Torre, while the rest of the people suffered a full national blackout. Anyhow...

The album commences with Æterna Fragma’s ‘Sinestesia’, a slice of atmospheric goodness in the vein of Brian Eno, with accompanying nature sounds bringing to mind Pink Floyd’s ‘Grantchester Meadows’, and the works of Popul Voh, the perfect opener. Daku bring wonderful Surf-esque Guitar to ‘Alameda’, a dreamy sound one may associate with the ingestion of psychedelics or falling in love, depending on your perspective. Lahelvetica’s ‘Obelisco’, takes one on a New Age trip to hitherto undiscovered worlds ala Jean Michel Jarre, but there’s also a darker edge ala Lustmord which makes it that much more engrossing. Ki Dei from Brazil’s contribution comes in the form of ‘Camino’ the first track on the album to feature Vocals. Anna Von Hausswolff’s Neoclassical Darkwave and Ambient Art-Pop come to mind, designed to be performed in Gothic cathedrals such is its expansive, spiritual feel; divine.

cubalibre.exe’s ‘El vacío’ right off the bat reminded me of John Carpenter’s 80’s soundtrack work and as a fan of that sound I was captivated by the fantastic retro vibes on offer here. Ilirya and ‘Duel 32 Let Me Find You a Glorious Place’ recalls My Bloody Valentine, the Shoegazey feel ticking all of my boxes. Branch’s lengthily titled ‘despite my effort, i'm rottin' away in the same place as before whereas i feel too much’ is what I think they label ‘glitchcore’, the kind of thing that Autechre and Warp Records have made their stock in trade for decades, not that I’m complaining. Junios’ ‘Árbol’bares similarities to eccentric performers as Bjork, ostensibly Pop but with a far more experimental, intriguing edge. Gangarria’s (Gemma Rumbaut) ‘Corazón’ bares similarities to SRSQ and her stunning 2022 album Ever Crashing, so breathtakingly gorgeous shimmering Synths and nods tothe Dream-Pop of the Cocteau Twins.

Martin Schellekens of Land Whales (whose brilliant recent record How to Make Breakfast was reviewed here on Clean Sheets) goes by the Thesis moniker and he brings us ‘Retumbar’. In some ways the haunting noise inflections are just as uncompromising as the sludgy Noise-Rock of his day job, excellent as expected. CosmicLatte is perfectly named as the Kosmische Musik influences on ‘Fel’ are absolutely evident, Klaus Schultz seemingly on regular rotation with an obvious but no less worthy ‘Space-Rock’ sensibility. Buffalo Attack (Mario Artega) brings the Drones on ‘Mírame’, ahypnotic, repetitive, and spiritually rewarding sound akin to that of trio Om. Humana like cubalibre.exe is fond of 80’s Synthwave but ‘Vertevolar’ has a little more warmth with rich vocals and a touch of the traditional pre revolution Cuban sound about it. Tendernesst’s ‘Loom’ demonstrates that Shoegaze has had a resurgence in recent years with the blissful soundscapes similar to the finest work that Slowdive have produced. Lushed’s ‘Solstice (Feat. Xhuan)’ is Sonic Youth Experimental Indie back when the genre still had something to say and concludes the record on a nostalgic high.

Compilations at their best expose you to new artists and scenes of which you were hitherto unfamiliar. Transmisiones: Cuba has achieved this, in abundance.