Mexican Summer Us Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The ever prolific Alexis Georgopoulos makes a welcome return to Mexican Summer with his Arp hat on, continuing the ZEBRA trilogy he started with the album of the same name in 2018. You might well associate his work with more pastoral, Fourth World-indebted styles, but on this second chapter of a considered narrative, he switches stance for a vivid, 80s strain of synth-pop electronica. It's a sound which speaks to the most visionary pop pioneers of the era - Vince Clarke springs to mind - but of course Georgopoulos has the benefit of modern methods to make those intricate, interwoven synth patterns even more vivid and dazzling. It's like the best 80s synth record you never heard.

Review: RECOMMENDED
If you're already familiar with Cate Le Bon's spectacularly accomplished oeuvre, then when we say Pompeii is probably her most complex, innovative, and wildly ambitious effort to date you should understand just how big that statement is. Once Wales' enfant terrible loosely comparable to the PJ Harveys of this world, since arriving circa 2007 her reputation has grown, and she has long been considered among Britain's greatest contemporary musicians, a guitar master, and a songwriter extraordinaire.

The opiate, freewheeling, pseudo-1960s rock vibes have waned in that time, though, making more room for surrealist pop to take the mantle as guiding light. Pompeii uses this more than perhaps any other of her albums, offering listeners a sumptuous adventure through weird operatics, otherworldly balladry, synth-y choral, and much more besides. A triumph, once again.

Review: "I told her my plight, then I played her a song, and she told me I wasn't singing high enough for my speaking voice. When I returned to LA, I started coming up with new progressions, which I'd modulate up three half steps. It forced me to find a new way to sing."

So says Drugdealer founder, singer and primary songwriter Michael Collins of his chance meeting with composer-artist Annette Peacock at Mexican Summer's annual Marfa Myths festival, their conversation concerning his lack of faith in his own singing voice which, by this point, had become crippling to the point of giving up. Taking that sage advice and applying it, Hiding In Plain Sight is the result - an incredible exercise in modern soul-rock and an instant classic.

Review: Following the release of Drugdealer's second album in 2019, founder and front man Michael Collins was ready to call time on the band and his music career. A chance meeting with artist and composer Annette Peacock, who suggested he revisit his singing style, not only changed his mind, but also gave him a new creative lease of life. The results, as showcased on Hiding In Plain Sight, are undeniably impressive. Sitting somewhere between Steely Dan, the blue-eyed soul of Boz Scaggs and lilting Americana, the album is awash with deftly deep, emotional and gorgeous songs. Our picks of a very strong bunch include the brilliant 'Madison', the Clavinet-and-Rhodes heavy wamth of 'Someone To Love' and the 'Josie'-esque excellence of 'Pictures of You', where Kate Bollinger delivers a stunning lead vocal.

Review: With 2019's Grandeza, Sao Paulo's Sessa made a modest impact thanks to his captivating, intimate sound. Calling to mind the likes of Leonard Cohen, Caetano Veloso and Tom Jobim, his songs speak of the deep roots of South American folk, but also dance with a light touch which is unique to this bright new talent. Now Sessa is back with a new album on Mexican Summer entitled Estrela Acesa, and his sound has gently grown outwards to take in ornate orchestral accompaniments. Crucially though, his tender approach remains as endearing as ever, resulting in another album of dreamy reveries for sweet moments of calm.