Arde

Migala's first full-length release, the much-acclaimed "Diciembre 3am" ('97), was a breath of fresh air to a complacent scene in their native Spain. 1998's "Así Duele un Verano" triggered Migala's discovery in Europe and the U.S. Soon after, Looper's Stuart David championed the band to Sub Pop, which led to the release of their first U.S. single on the Sub Pop Singles Club. Their third full-length, "Arde" ("it burns," in Spanish) was originally released in Spain in 2000 on Acuarela Discos; Sub Pop's July release of Arde will mark Migala's full-length debut in the U.S.

Migala have always considered themselves an assemblage of non-musicians, and their artistic democracy is as militant as it is fruitful. When recording "Arde," Migala didn't hesitate to surround themselves with talented collaborators (such as David Belmonte, Nacho Vegas, and Irene R. Tremblay) to help polish pieces that honor the band's motto: "to make classic songs with an uncanny atmosphere." Whether it comes across as post-rock, post-folk, avant-garde or traditional depends on the moment's inspiration. Their universe has widened to deliver a mature record in which odes to winter and nostalgia ("Diciembre 3 am"), or sad café ballads of lost innocence ("Así Duele un Verano"), have given way to feelings of impotence and the desire to escape, no matter what the cost, even through combustion. Closest in emotional intent to Leonard Cohen's classic "Death of a Ladies Man," the songs found on "Arde" are wistful, poignant, and smolderingly beautiful. Fusing their music with the cinematic, the Madrid-based sextet offers up these 14 episodes, which document some of their best work and darkest hours.