Tropical Beats for Stuck-at-Home Feet

AP

Chicano Batman’s latest album keeps indie music cool

Los Angeles indie band Chicano Batman have mastered the art of blending the soulful sounds of their musical elders with the contemporary advances of modern psychedelic music.

On May 1, Chicano Batman released their latest album “Invisible People.” Since their previous album, “Freedom is Free” debuted in 2017, “Invisible People” marks the group’s  most sonically-varied yet thematically cohesive creation yet. Not to mention, it cements the modernization and evolution of the band’s sound.

On this record, the band worked with Grammy-award winning sound engineer Shawn Everett, who also collaborated with the Alabama Shakes and the Strokes’ frontman Julian Casablancas. 

The album flawlessly flows between an uplifting modern, dance-pop vibe and a more soulful, fuzzy-guitared groove.

The album’s first track “Color my life” perfectly encapsulates the band’s evolution. Neon lights emanate from this song, perfectly complemented by an air of disco romance. The second song, “Blank Slate,” is a funky, upbeat party tune that flows right into the third track, “I know It,” which is a contagious, slow groove about a lost love.

“Pink Elephant” emits a catchy, funky energy without conforming to the soda pop of the radio. This song also employs the best lyricism on the album and features the most vocals. Frontman Bardo Martinez  starts, “she’s the pink elephant in the room / she’s a mercenary with perfume / just like in the movies, she kills for fun / decapitating heads like the shogun, yeah,” gripping and engrossing the listener. Listeners ponder, “Who is this homicidal woman who has captured the heart of Martinez? We must keep listening and find out!”

While these jams undoubtedly exceed expectations, other tracks leave something to be desired. The title track “Invisible People” starts off with powerful, thought-provoking lyrics in the first half—such as the line, “Invisible people, the truth is we're all the same/ The concept of race was implanted inside your brain/ It's time to start all over” — yet dies out shortly after, ending on a repetitive, somewhat lazy outro. 

Similarly, “The Way” falls victim to this same lack of focus. The song suffers without a sound musical structure and is not only difficult to follow sound-wise, but its lyrics become more confusing as the song progresses. Martinez initially implores, “How do we heal, mama? / Show us the way,” but then goes on to say he feels enlightened, and the “shattered glass is gone.” It seems like Martinez can’t decide whether or not he has found his truth. 

Despite these misguided tracks, the latter half of the album is a victory lap, containing some of the strongest work on the album. “The Prophet” boasts one of the most clever lyrics on the entire album, “I am a prophet for profit,” and the final song, “Wounds,” ends on a fresh, but familiar note accompanied by soft piano chords and wistful lyrics. 

“I wish I could keep you, so I never have to feel,” Martinez says, “Wounds that never heal / nothing will ever be the same.” In these final moments, Chicano Batman invites the listener back for another round.

In blending genres ranging from psychedelic soul to ‘80s synth pop, and combining classic, grooving guitars with thumping drums, Chicano Batman proves themselves to be a force to be reckoned with on the indie scene. Despite a few confusing songs, the band’s latest album is a definite success,  and it leaves its audience wondering where the band will take their sound next. 

“Invisible People” is an intoxicating and mind-expanding soundscape that still pays tribute to the indie group’s soulful, tropicalia roots. If you are a fan of glowing, electronic love jams, give “Invisible People” a listen and syncopate this Shelter in Place.