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Nov 07, 2013 Web Exclusive By Lily Moayeri

Listening to Juana Molina, you would never know she had a strong run as a comedian in her native Argentina. Molina is classed under the singer/songwriter tab. Her left-of-center style, however, has more in common with jazz scats, but softened by rounded Spanish syllables. On her sixth album, Wed 21, Molina—who employs electronics as much, if not more so, than traditional instruments—extends her musical palette to warmer, organic instrumentation. Molina is not just the vocalist, but also the producer, and her noodly, introspective style overrides any choice of sound source, as she murmurs quietly to herself, the fluttery rhythms flitting in and out of her hums and whispers.

Bee-like buzzes line “Lo Decidí Yo” and layered harmonies bolster Molina’s nursery rhyme chorus on “Sin Guía, No.” The Spanish language’s seductive qualities are enflamed not just by Molina’s suggestive tones, but also by her expansive use of loops, which give the record a hypnotic quality. At times these are so hushed, such as on “El Oso De La Guarda,” one has to strain to hear her voice or instruments, making it all the more enticing. In contrast, “La Rata” is frenzied, and “Final Feliz” skips with an almost Western soundtrack quality.

The language barrier never detracts from the impact of her songs; the blend of acoustics and electronics on Wed 21 is as expressive as Molina’s tranquil delivery, providing the alluring environment required to charm the object of your affection. (www.juanamolina.com)

Author rating: 6.5/10