Best Albums of 2015
as selected by Martin Cordova

8
Ludovico <br>“Ciudad del calor”

Ludovico
“Ciudad del calor”

Ludovico is already a very well known name in Guayaquil, Ecuador. With a handful of EPs, they made their way through the local scene, and in 2015 they released their first LP ever, “Ciudad del calor”.

The day I got the album I also saw them live and although I was aiming for a more show-like work, they managed to get to me and to all their fans. Ludovico’s debut record has a lot of catchy songs with big anthem choruses that stick to you through the listen.

♪♫ Listen: “Transparente” + album stream

Ludovico on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter.

7
Hiato <Br>“Hiato” EP

Hiato
“Hiato” EP

Hiato is the craft work of David Rojas and Maria Beatriz Crespo. The duo have been a couple for quite some years and David plays in a very well known band, El General Villamil. Yet they had to make something together and a hiatus was born.

This project is very dark, experimental, lo-fi and ambiental. It can take you to places where you stand by yourself wondering how you got there. Its heavy bass lines and dense synths are the core of the work and the signature of their sound.

♪♫ Listen: “Tokyo Intro” + album stream

Hiato on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook.

6
Tonicamo <br>“Mario Lopez”

Tonicamo
“Mario Lopez”

This band from Ecuador’s capital, Quito, tags themselves as “gay pop”, which makes sense once you hear them. Their debut album “Mario Lopez” is full of danceable songs, it’s fun, and makes for a good listen in a hipster party or by yourself.

Their lyrics are full of irony, funny references and a lot of trolling. At the same time, they express some teenage-like feelings to catchy and pink instrumentals.

♪♫ Listen: “Vigilante” + album stream

Tonicamo on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter.

5
Región <BR>“Dawn”

Región
“Dawn”

This one-man project from Cuenca makes electronic chill wave and ambient that feels gravity-less and made on the moon. Heavy kick, galactic synths and drum samples, all put together create layers of music hard to understand well on the first listen.

“Dawn” is an album to walk home by, feeling your steps sync with the music. It also has guest appearances of two of Ecuador’s best rappers, Andre Farra and Chris Diaz. Both of them bring a lot to the table and refresh it up a little bit.

♪♫ Listen: “Empty Buildings” + album stream

Región on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, www.

4
Mamá, soy demente <BR>“El Disco Rojo”

Mamá, soy demente
“El Disco Rojo”

Ecuador’s most experimental band so far. This was a long expected comeback and it didn’t disappoint at all. They managed to keep their exploring at its best, while not sounding like it was their first time.

“El Disco Rojo” is a visceral and dark album. It has some of the best lyrics I’ve heard, putting you face to face to examine life, love and more. It’s Mamá, soy demente’s best work to me so far.

♪♫ Listen: “La Buena Suerte” + album stream

Mamá, soy demente on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook.

3
Paola Navarrete <Br>“Ficción”

Paola Navarrete
“Ficción”

The highlight of Paola Navarrete’s new album is the singer-songwriter’s voice. She accompanies it with a well-crafted orchestra of sounds that complement her singing.

Great production lets every instrument get its own space and not overwhelm any of the tracks. In the lyrics, Paola sings about dreams, fears and learnings of a young adult who somehow refuses to grow up. Like a fairytale with a soundtrack.

♪♫ Listen: “Los Ojazos De Mi Negra” + album stream (Spotify)

Paola Navarrete on Soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook – and beehype.

2
Tripulación De Osos <BR>“Robormiga”

Tripulación De Osos
“Robormiga”

When I first heard the debut album of the Quito band Tripulación De Osos, it was my favorite album of the year by far and it took some time to get over it (in a good way).

It’s powerful, it’s friendly and has very catchy moments. The drums manage to keep order within chaos and the guitars battle each other throughout the record in solos, riffs and intros. The alternate singing between Mauro Samaniego and Juan Andrés Bustamante gives it a refreshing touch, the lyrics are sometimes happier than you usually get from other bands, and some of the vocal melodies will sticks with you all day.

It’s like these guys have spent half their life listening to Queens of the Stone Age, and the other half listening to The Strokes.

♪♫ Listen: “Doce Dias” + album stream (Spotify)

Tripulación De Osos on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, www.

1
Róndamon  <BR>“Astronauta”

Róndamon
“Astronauta”

This comeback has been more awaited than any. Róndamon, an electronic duo from Guayaquil, were two pioneers who wanted to make some music that would make people dance. And their first album is still considered one of the best national albums ever.

Their new record, “Astronauta”, keeps their principles, their classic sound and manages to show new influences and techniques they have picked along the years. Róndamon created a perfect album and made their return match all expectations.

♪♫ Listen: “Astronauta” + album stream

Róndamon on BandcampSoundcloudFacebook, Twitter – and beehype.