After two solid albums that helped establish their lo-fi indie pop bona fides, the Chicago by way of Colombia group
Divino Nino take a great stride forward with 2019's
Foam. Laid-back and sneakily hooky, the record folds in disco, chillwave, beach pop, classic indie, soft rock, and Latin pop to make an easy to drink, long-lasting musical cocktail. It was recorded in the apartment of the band's guitarist/vocalist
Camilo Medina and it sounds like they had to play quietly so the neighbors wouldn't complain. The songs are built around very relaxed rhythms, bubbling keyboards, and warped guitars, and they lope along pleasantly with
Medina's sweetly sung vocals easing them into a gentle landing. Many of the songs are sung in Spanish; all of them have memorable choruses and a light melodic touch. The insistent "Coca Cola" is the hit to click; it's one of the few songs to have some forward momentum. The rest of the album digs deep into a warm mid-tempo groove and stays there, basking in the enveloping sound and casting a mood that's as hard to get out of as a hammock on a lazy summer day. The band are far from lazy though; they craft these songs with a precision that belies their calm exteriors. On songs like the chirpy doo wop-inspired "Quiero" or the soft rock gem "Maria," the group add all sorts of cool sounds to the arrangements to really make them pop. This is something they do throughout the album, layering acoustic guitars with vintage keys, cheapo drum machines with lush vocal harmonies, and slick guitar parts with melodic bass lines to create a sound that's easy to sink into while still rewarding a close listen.
Medina's vocals, too, seem chill on the surface, but he sings with a controlled passion that helps make the songs compelling. Past
Divino Nino albums sound like popsicles, quickly devoured before they melt to nothing.
Foam is a more filling treat; it has lasting power and propels the band right into the middle of the conversation of best guitar pop bands of the late 2010s. ~ Tim Sendra
