Live Review: Juana Molina, Alyx Dennison
27 September 2014 | 12:45 pm
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Guido Farnell
Molina exudes a tough and humorously pithy presence
A rather tasteful selection of inner city chic arranges itself around the tables at the Thornbury Theatre sporting a surprisingly chilled mood for a Friday night.
Looking as though she is concentrating very hard, Alyx Dennison lets fly with the sweetest vocal melodies. Dennison’s vocals aim to wash over our ears all pretty and delicate but there is an underlying strength and power to her voice that has everyone in the room listening attentively. Joined by a drummer and a multi-instrumentalist who variously plays keys, guitar and an accordion, the three-piece deliver an electro-acoustic sound that shifts from dub-heavy trip hop under the musical influence of the subcontinent to the light pop vibes of LAX that flutters like a leaf caught in a light breeze on a summer’s day. If ever there was an elephant in the room that put a smile on everyone’s faces it was the one guy in the tatty tracky dacks and frilly pink party dress who was the only person on the floor, dancing as though he was at a rave.
Last years Wed 21 broke a five-year dry spell for Juana Molina and signified a shift towards a more upfront electro-acoustic sound. Molina, also fronting with a couple of players, recalls Dennison’s set but the point of departure is the dense layers of loops that create a uniquely organic and voluptuous ambiance. Showcasing tunes from Wed 21, and kicking off her set with Eras, Molina seemingly wraps us in a silken cocoon of sound that breaks down the traditional influence of jazz, folk and Latin music into a sleek contemporary manifestation. There are plenty of Spanish speaking expats in the room but even though the only Spanish phrase we know is ‘Donde es la biblioteca?’ Molina makes herself understood through the emotion she injects.
Last years Wed 21 broke a five-year dry spell for Juana Molina and signified a shift towards a more upfront electro-acoustic sound. Molina, also fronting with a couple of players, recalls Dennison’s set but the point of departure is the dense layers of loops that create a uniquely organic and voluptuous ambiance. Showcasing tunes from Wed 21, and kicking off her set with Eras, Molina seemingly wraps us in a silken cocoon of sound that breaks down the traditional influence of jazz, folk and Latin music into a sleek contemporary manifestation. There are plenty of Spanish speaking expats in the room but even though the only Spanish phrase we know is ‘Donde es la biblioteca?’ Molina makes herself understood through the emotion she injects.
It takes a thumping version of Una Dia to bring the rather sedate crowd to their feet. Molina exudes a tough and humorously pithy presence and gives the impression that she would crack some hilarious one liners if her command of English was better. The exquisitely dreamy Ay No Se Offendan and El Osa De La Guarda, with flourishes of moogy electro kitsch, are highlights. The bright but bittersweet Final Feliz brings down a memorable evening in the company of Ms Molina.
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