Federico Aubele: Berlin 13

Federico Aubele
Berlin 13
ESL
2011-03-22

Like Gotan Project, Federico Aubele makes electro-tango, but I like this sound better, the downbeat sneaky throb of it, less flashy than the Project’s, more insinuating, ambient, enveloping, with its hip-hop bounce, its sometimes-wordless crooning by Natalie Clavier, the crisp and minor earthquakes from the accordion, the nostalgia in its lyrics. “Sadly listening / To the tuneless cry of the wind / There’s no one to save / The day,” sighs Aubele, resigned to this state of affairs, and contemplative. Ah well, he seems to say, not really expecting better luck next time. But the accordion gives a nip and a glide, and you know that even if everything remains technically gloomy, with tuneless wind and people sadly listening, the music will persevere, an amused and drunk romantic.

RATING 8 / 10