My favourite Chilean shoegaze exponents, Maff, today release their epic EP ‘Melaniña’after releasing two brilliant singles ‘Desfile’ and ‘Hawaii’ off the EP earlier this year.
The EP opens with ‘Act 2’ with its hallmark driving, sustaining guitars and slow languorous drive in an enigmatic instrumental form. As with any successful instrumental, ‘Act 2’ conveys emotion without words – a sense of freedom, open car windows and endless horizons:
First single off the EP and second track is ‘Desfile’: sung in Spanish and haunting and melancholic, a fuzz driven opus that is elegant yet gritty:
Third track is the second single off the EP, ‘Hawaii’ with its alien sound effects and driving hypnotic beat:
‘Deserts are Rainbows’ is another crackling slow tempo burner infused with heartbreaking emotion that reminds me of the breathtaking beauty found in Sigur Ros.
The EP ends in ‘Appear’ – a pure indie pop gem that soars to to the heights of Patagonia with the same impossible beauty.
This is a sparkling, euphoric EP that has moments of pure beauty. It is both enthralling, exciting and life-affirming while imbued with a sense of melancholia and heart ache. I’m absolutely in love with this EP. You can order it here:
Formed in 2012 in Santiago, Chile by Ricardo Gomez and Nicolas Colombres, Maff’s music blossomed from a love affair with guitar pedals. Their sound was greatly influenced by The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Pixies, Ride, Sonic Youth, and My Bloody Valentine. The current line-up is Ricardo Gomez (vocals, guitar), Nicolas Colombres (drums), Valentina Cardenas (bass) and Martin Colombres (guitar).
Photos: Simon Gollardo
