Best Albums of 2016
selected by Rodrigo Piedra & IndieHoy

12
Los Reyes del Falsete <BR>“Lo que nos junta”

Los Reyes del Falsete
“Lo que nos junta”

Los Reyes del Falsete was one of the biggest comebacks of this year in Argentina. The three-piece band published their third album, the first one in four years (in between, there were only some digital singles).

On “Lo que nos junta”, they seem more introspective than before. But the falsetto (“Los reyes del falsete” is the Spanish for “The kings of falsetto”) and guitars makes them sound as bright as usual.

♪♫ Listen: “Fuera de foco” + album stream

Los Reyes del Falsete on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

11
Perras on the Beach <BR>“Chupalapija”

Perras on the Beach
“Chupalapija”

Quintet Perras on the Beach’s first release “Chupalapija” has a distinctive energy and spontaneity you would expect of a debut album.

Based in Mendoza, they escape the typical “Andes-sound” stereotype. Instead, they make songs about friendship and daily things in a 2016-punk-pop style.

♪♫ Listen: “Puchos” + album stream

Perras on the Beach on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

10
Los Besos <BR>“Un disco de Los Besos”

Los Besos
“Un disco de Los Besos”

After EP “1” and “2”, later compiled into one unique volume, Los Besos added new members to the band and published their first LP, “Un disco de Los Besos”.

This simple title takes you to into the romantic universe of the songs signed (and singed) by Paula Trama. Her subtle poetry, hinting towards romance and seduction, is a key element of this great album.

♪♫ Listen: “8N” + album stream

Los Besos Un on Bandcamp, Facebook

9
Pablo Neptuno <BR>“Aventura”

Pablo Neptuno
“Aventura”

Always getting a name of “the Argentinean Mac DeMarco” or something similar, the poatry of Pablo Neptuno actually has its very own personality.

Lo-fi and gentle guitars are the pilars of “Aventura”, an album comprised of twelve songs recorded in Pablo’s house, each one with its own aura.

♪♫ Listen: “Aventura” + album stream

Pablo Neptuno on Bandcamp, Facebook.

8
Mi Nave <BR>“Tristeza”

Mi Nave
“Tristeza”

The third album from Mi Nave is the first one they have recorded with the help of a producer, which results in their own personal chaos… organised.

Bright and melancholic – “Tristeza” is the Spanish word for “sadness” – this work sounds like they have always sounded: a heavy dosis of instrumentation and cinematographic lyrics. 

♪♫ Listen: “Agua de oro” + album stream

Mi Nave on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

7
Hijo de la Tormenta <BR>“El manto de la especie”

Hijo de la Tormenta
“El manto de la especie”

101% rock.

This new album from Córdoba-based band Hijo de la Tormenta is a clear rejuvenation of the aesthetics and sounds of Argentinean bands from the 1960s and 1970s with their dark psychedelic stuff.

Intense and visual, “El manto de la especie” smells like a classic record.

♪♫ Listen: “Rock para huir de una ciudad” + album stream

Hijo de la Tormenta on BandcampFacebook.

6
Las Sombras <BR>“Las Sombras”

Las Sombras
“Las Sombras”

Drinking wine or beer in a poorly lighted old bar by a road could be the perfect scenery to listen to the new album of Las Sombras.

Their forceful self-titled debut record has its own mystique, while using the direct language of rock and roll.

♪♫ Listen: “Van detrás” + album stream

Las Sombras on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

5
Las Kellies <BR>“Friends and Lovers”

Las Kellies
“Friends and Lovers”

This year, Las Kellies published their fourth LP, the first one with an international label (Fire Records) and with a new member.

They’ve been playing for the last 10 years with a little dose of dub, but on “Friends and Lovers” they chose to deliver a dozen of songs in a post-punk way, with powerful and danceable melodies.

An unpredictable trio with their best album up to date.

♪♫ Listen: “Summer Breeze” + album stream

Las Kellies on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

4
Las Piñas <BR>“Espanto Caribe”

Las Piñas
“Espanto Caribe”

Girl duo Las Piñas are based in La Plata, but they surely could have been born in California (at least they were on tour in the US West Coast some months ago).

Anthems about surf, summer and pizza are included in Las Piñas’ debut album, “Espanto Caribe”, along distorted guitars and angry drums.

♪♫ Listen: “Hawaii” + album stream

Las Piñas on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

3
Queridas <BR>“Heridas”

Queridas
“Heridas”

Andrés Yeah is a very creative mind: apart from being an amazing illustrator and graphic designer, he plays in Mi Nave and has a parallel project, Queridas, with singer Josi Mai.

This year, they published their first full length album “Heridas”, an irresistible combo of melancholic pop and shoegaze.

♪♫ Listen: “Pasantía” + album stream

Queridas on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, www + beehype.

2
Atrás Hay Truenos <BR>“Bronce”

Atrás Hay Truenos
“Bronce”

The third album of Atrás Hay Truenos is full of dreamy atmospheres and songs about the millenial discussion about nature and humankind.

Poetic and full of catchy melodies, on “Bronce” the band from Neuquén remains unpredictable. At the same time, excellent production makes their sound more mature and transcendent than ever before. 

♪♫ Listen: “Para siempre” + album stream

Atrás Hay Truenos on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, www.

1
Riel <BR>“Sueño eléctrico”

Riel
“Sueño eléctrico”

It’s like an urban myth: Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon are still together, living in Buenos Aires, and playing in the bodies of Mora and Germán.

Riel is a top shoegaze reference in the Argentinean scene, and in their third album “Sueño eléctrico” once again delivers sonic landscapes of distorsion and fuzz.

Guitar, pedals and drums: all what is needed.

♪♫ Listen: “Nocturno” + album stream

Riel on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.