Hotel Sur - Sobre sentirse bien bajo este sol

Hotel Sur released their proper debut Sobre Sentirse Bien Bajo Este Sol on February 4, 2022. While their debut Eps’ were so bland I could hardly be stuffed reviewing them, their debut was a pleasant surprise.

What makes Hotel Sur’s debut so absorbing is not only its gentle shoegaze elements and incorporation of synths, but its admirable vocal performance. The range is commendable. Whether it’s heartfelt on Respirar or loud on Derrotas, the lead singer always nails it. This is partly due to laudable skill, but equally to passion; despite the fact the lyrics are indecipherable, the emotion is stark. Moreover, the album is consistently enjoyable and very well mixed. Very few albums are able to maintain such high energy as consistently. As with most indie-rock records in this current age, it’s missing an element of innovation. Thankfully, the artist makes up for this factor with personality and flavour. The only weak element of the album is the disco-infused closer, which is just as laughable as it is easily skippable.

If Hotel Sur were to maintain their style and surpass their debut, they’d have to expand upon their songwriting. The album ranks well in composition because the melodies themselves are enjoyable, though they are relatively straightforward. It seems to me that the band are mostly concerned with appealing to a large audience, evident by the traditional songwriting. It works well on Sobre Sentirse Bien Bajo Este Sol for the most part, though I fear it may hold them back in future. Nonetheless, it’s a solid work of art.

Good

Listen to it here:

https://hotelsur.bandcamp.com/album/sobre-sentirse-bien-bajo-este-sol-2               

Hotel Sur - Sobre sentirse bien bajo este sol