Quema Quema Quema

On their second album – following a subtle, largely-guitar-based debut – this duo from Peru have pumped their songs full of pop hooks, big choruses and all manner of instruments. As with their debut, the group have largely looked outside of Peru for influences, to contemporary dance and indie music. The opening, title-track is the most startling example, with backing vocals clearly inspired by Gorillaz, but across the album there are also hints of Metronomy's simple melodicism, Shout Out Louds’ dreamy pop aesthetic and the tropical dance grooves of El Guincho. It is therefore huge credit to Kanaku that, despite this apparent borrowing of ideas, they imbue the whole album with their own personalities. There's a woozy, laidback quality across the whole album, as if it has been processed through a wonky tape machine. Together with the duo's distinctive vocals, it gives the album a timeless charm, whether it's the anthemic ‘Si Te Mueres Mañana’, the smouldering electro of ‘Burn Burn Burn’ or the beautifully simple ‘Bubucelas’.