Astro
Year: 2011
Format: Spotify
Grade: C+
Astro's self-titled album dropped in '11 in its native Chile, but didn't make it stateside until nearly one year later.
Comparisons to MGMT and M83 abound, a funky pastiche of pop and electronic that is as fun as it is groovy.
"Colombo" is insanely infectious, a climbing, celebratory synth phrase daring the listener not to get swept up in the track's vibe.
It's the apex of a three-song sprint out of the gate, after "Ciervos" ("Deer" in English) and "Coco."
While Astro is paced well, it also exposes that it's a surface fun. Depth and intrigue aren't the specialty of Astro, just a danceable good time — this is music without a message.
Astro might be fun and hard to get out of the listener's head, but in terms of making a lasting emotional impact, it's not as lasting.
Tomorrow's entry: My Bloody Valentine, Isn't Anything
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