There are benefits to being a disc-jockey on campus-community radio that go beyond the mildly delusional notion of being cool within a fairly geeky setting. While wading through lots of music you would hope didn't exist, you're also bound to come across some true gems you'd otherwise never hear.
So is the case with my discovery of Juana Molina, a charming singer-songwriter from Argentina with a neat background to boot. Before she ever started releasing music, Molina was actually a pretty big television star in her homeland, appearing in various comedy programs.
Somewhere down the line I guess she got tired of that gig and decided she'd rather make otherworldly space-folk with a serious flare for atmospherics. Her music relies heavily on the looping of her voice and acoustic guitar sprinkled with quirky electronic flourishes. It's like a stripped-down Bjork, minus the hype and swan dresses.
Her 2006 effort Son introduced me to her sound, plucked off the shelves of CHMR-FM in St. John's, Newfoundland. I guess the cover art was what initially drew me in (being released on a decent label like Domino Records helps matters too). As you can see here, it's very pretty.
The album's second track, "Yo No," is as good a point of introduction as you'll find on Son. It opens quietly, with just Molina's voice and some woozy keyboard noises accompanying her vocal lead. Eventually her voice travels in a spooky fashion, panning and swooping endlessly from left to right before light percussion enters the picture. Another verse begins and eventually gives way to a trippy breakdown before the track moves towards its conclusion.
The mix makes it a great headphones song with its inventive use of the left and right channels, where all parts float back and forth. Based on experience, her music also seems well suited to mixtapes for girlfriends. Likewise, nerdy guys such as myself should appreciate her inclusion on a lovingly crafted cassette mix.
"Juana Molina - Yo No"
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