May 23, 2017

Café Tacvba's 'Que No' Features Wintercroft Masks

Café Tacvba continues to be an incredible, experimental band with a polymorphic sound that is impossible to pin down. Their Mexican musical roots intertwine with vast tributaries of sounds and styles.

Perhaps the perpetual interest in the band is attributed to their eclectic vision for each release as their legacy spans decades and they are now one of the biggest bands hailing from Latin America. Along the way, they have collaborated with legends such as David Byrne and Los Lobos, always bringing their own aural angles into to the music.

'Que No' is a perfect example of Café Tacvba's slightly schizophrenic, yet always enthralling, approach to musical composition.

The juxtaposition of the track's turnaround helps portray the lyrics, which could be interpreted as detailing the process of overcoming addiction, or perhaps toxic relationships? Either way, like many great songs, the theme seems to remain open to the interpretation of the listener. The choppy waters of self-exploration propel the story...

With the crack of an echoing snare shot, the track takes off into a kaleidoscopic chorus augmented by backdrops of psychedelic reverberated guitars.

One moment, they are soothing the listener with the smooth swagger of a balladeer backed by rich acoustic chords. Then, with the crack of an echoing snare shot, the track takes off into a kaleidoscopic chorus augmented by backdrops of psychedelic reverberated guitars that wilt into the humming harmonics of a Hammond Organ beautifully. Though not as wily or experimental as 'Disolviéndonos' or 'Futuro' released by the band recently, 'Que No' is an amazing slice of song-crafting all the same and a testament to the versatility and vitality of the band.

It has become a Café Tacvba tradition to produce videos that are as effective as the song they portray and 'Que No' is a perfect example.

We start in a pristine, clean and impossibly white environment that is akin to a blank canvas, that is just begging to be splattered with colour. Band members then emerge sporting exceptionally well-constructed Wintercroft Masks that add an air of mystery and intrigue to the stark environment.

Intimacy, struggle and sickness ensue as the song and video climax in a cacophony of colour, intensity and vibrancy. Beauty bleeds out in a deluge gush of glorious tones both musical and visual.

We also cut in and out of a parallel world inhabited by an impossibly beautiful woman that is seemingly imprisoned in a dwelling of her own design - with only a temptress lioness doppelganger to keep her company. Intimacy, struggle and sickness ensue as the song and video climax in a cacophony of colour, intensity and vibrancy. This welcome assault on the senses leaves us reeling for more. One must experience this for themselves keeping in mind that the video contains adult themes and imagery...

We are extremely proud to have collaborated with such a vital, boundary-pushing and legendary band. We urge you to dig deep into their body of work and find the vast and varied tonal treasures they have forged over the years. I recommend streaming the new album Jei Beibi in full and I love the track 'Futuro' as a personal favourite. You can find out more about the band and their music by following the links below:

https://tacvba.com.mx/

https://www.facebook.com/cafetacvbaoficial

https://open.spotify.com/album/74eEfGjMICkDu7u8faPlc5

https://www.youtube.com/user/elcafetacvbaoficial/featured