Juana Molina
Country of origin:
Argentina
Type of music generally:
An eclectic and highly individual mix of ectronica, pop, and folk
Status:
Most recent release, Halo (2017)
See also:
Juana Molina's site
Comparisons:
I can't think of any. She's highly individual. Maybe a kindred spirit to Jorane and St. Vincent? (JoAnn Whetsell)
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Much as I love Juana Molina's music, I've never known how to describe it (probably why I love it). My best effort is a sort of low-fi ectronica. She uses lots of loops and electronic sounds (I'm not at all well versed in the technology) but the music is otherwise quite spare. A sort of cross between late night cool and Sunday afternoon calm. She's usually categorized as world music because she's from Argentina and sings in Spanish, but it's really not. All music guide uses the words "quirky," "atmospheric," and "intimate," and I think all these adjectives fit. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Recommended first album:
Tres cosas
Recordings:
Segundo
Release info:
2000; re-released 2003—Domino Recording Co.—DNO 015
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Juana Molina—vocals, all instruments
Guest artists:
Alejandro Franov—some keyboards (1, 7); monophonic (7); programming (11); vocals (1, 11)
John Baxter—electric guitar (5)
Ron Aniello—dulcimer, samplings, percussion, sequences (8)
David Miner—bass (8)
Fernando Kabusacki—"claxon guitar" (14)
Produced by:
Juana Molina
Comments:
Showcases her experimentation. There are little electronic bloops and bleeps, various sounds, even dog woofs (appropriately enough) in "El Perro." It's like this strange and wonderful universe, where everything is off kilter but works perfectly. I love her inventiveness and humor. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Tres cosas
Release info:
2002
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Juana Molina
Guest artists:
Fernando Kabusacki—guitar (3); whales (7); ambient and electric guitar (12)
Alejandro Franov—keyboards (2, 7, 8, 12); vocals (3)
Petra Haden (That Dog and solo)—violins (9)
Martín Iannaccone—violincello (12)
Produced by:
Juana Molina
Comments:
My favorite of Juana Molina's albums. It's folkier, lighter on electronics (they're there, but more atmospheric). I'll quote Jon Pareles of the NY Times who named it one of the top 10 albums of the year: "This whispery album is the latest invitation into the reveries of the Argentine songwriter Juana Molina. It's built from her acoustic guitar picking, her hushed voice, melodies with the simplicity of lullabies and rustling, rippling, melting synthesizer backdrops that fill the songs with mystery." Yes, exactly. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Son
Release info:
2006—Domino Recording Co.—DNO 094
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Juana Molina—all instruments; gongs (6, 7)
Guest artists:
Alejandro Franov—gongs (6, 7); some keyboard programming
Martín Ibarburu—kick drum (2)
Produced by:
Juana Molina
Comments:
An excellent album that builds on Tres cosas with a less folky and more experimental/electronic sound, though here are a couple of places where it gets too noodly for my taste. (JoAnn Whetsell)One of the best albums of the year. (Ellepeace@aol.com)
Un Día
Release info:
2008—Domino Recording Co.—DNO 196
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Juana Molina
Guest artists:
Gareth Dickson—guitars between 3 and 4 and between 6 and 7
Comments:
Another wonderful album. It doesn't seem as inventive as Son (it's close in sound), but it's just as good. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Wed 21
Release info:
2013—Crammed Discs—CRAM 220
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Juana Molina
Produced by:
Juana Molina
Comments:
With her first album in 5 years, Juana Molina returns to delight with more oddball quirkiness. This time the songs are more upbeat and really catchy. It's a thoroughly captivating album. (JoAnn Whetsell)One of the best albums of the year. (valrichardson@igc.org)
Halo
Release info:
2017—Crammed Discs—Cram 275
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Juana Molina—vocals, guitars, bass, samples, keys, synths, programming
Guest artists:
Od’n Schwartz—bass (4); synth (5, 9, 10); first guitars (8)
Diego López de Arcaute—drums (1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)
John Dieterich—guitar (4); synth (5, 8)
Comments:
Another inventive album from Juana Molina, somewhat darker than her previous ones and even less tied to formal pop structures. I didn't take to it quite as easily as her previous albums, but it rewards continued listening. All that is magical and mystical about her music is deeply on display here, and there is much to like. (JoAnn Whetsell)One of the best albums of the year. (gordodo@optonline.net)
Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
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