Album Review: Espiño’s Self-Titled Masterpiece – A Wild Ride Through Folk, Rock, and Psychedelia
Let’s cut to the chase. If you’re looking for an album that feels like a fever dream of Galician landscapes, 70s prog rock vibes, and just enough folk charm to make your gran smile—Espiño’s self-titled release from 2017 is it. Hailing from Spain and released under Fundación Autor, this record doesn’t just sit in one genre; it leaps between them like a caffeinated squirrel on roller skates. We’re talking Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Prog Rock… heck, even some Pop sneaks in there when you’re not paying attention.
Now, let me break it down for ya. Alfonso Espiño (the man wearing more hats than a milliner at a royal wedding) handles vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals, and "sounds." Yeah, “sounds.” What does that even mean? No clue, but I trust him. The rest of the band brings their A-game too—Curro Marcos smashing drums, Brais Sánchez shredding electric guitar solos, and Alexandro González sprinkling magic with keyboards and metallophones. Oh, and how can we forget Álvaro Crego Deán blowing his trumpet (literally) into tracks like they’re about to burst into flames?
Tracks That Stick Like Glitter on Your Clothes
First up, "Sen dúbida". This track smacks you right in the feels within seconds. It opens with a gentle acoustic riff that sounds like someone whispering secrets to the trees. Then BAM! The French horn kicks in, and suddenly you're transported to a medieval festival where everyone's high on life—or maybe mushrooms. Alfonso’s voice has this raw, unpolished quality that makes it feel real, like he recorded it sitting cross-legged on a hillside somewhere. And those harmonies? Chef’s kiss. Every time I hear the chorus, I wanna grab my backpack and hike off into the wilderness. Or at least pretend I’m cool enough to do that.
Then there’s "Engaiolante enfeitizante", which is basically what would happen if Harry Potter wrote a song while tripping balls. It starts slow, almost hypnotic, lulling you into thinking it's just another chill tune. But around halfway through, things get weird—and by weird, I mean AMAZING. There’s this moment where the violin (courtesy of Quim Farinha) swoops in like a rogue dragonfly, adding layers of tension before everything explodes into a kaleidoscope of sound. By the end, you'll either be dancing wildly or staring blankly at the wall wondering what just hit you. Either way, it’s unforgettable.
Why Should You Care?
This album isn’t perfect—it’s messy, unpredictable, and occasionally veers dangerously close to chaos. But isn’t that kinda beautiful? In a world full of cookie-cutter pop songs designed to sell cologne commercials, Espiño reminds us why music should be daring. It’s like opening a treasure chest only to find glitter bombs instead of gold coins. Sure, it’s messy, but damn if it isn’t fun.
And here’s the kicker—I listened to this whole thing twice before realizing Alfonso played nearly everything himself. Like, dude, take a break already! Go drink some water or something. But seriously, kudos to him and the crew for crafting something so wild yet cohesive.
So yeah, check out Espiño’s album if you want music that feels alive, untamed, and slightly unhinged. Just don’t blame me if you start hearing trumpets in your sleep afterward.
