For some time now, I have been praising a series of both individuals and labels devoted to rescuing hidden gems from the past. The merit of this archaeological task is twofold: discovering music treasures unfairly ignored so far and take them back to the future in magnificent formats for everyone and their mother to enjoy. It’s almost social work. Often, these labels will take a risk and lauch present-day acts without betraying their back catalogue. This is the case, among others, with Domestica and, especially, with its latest release Màquina Total. The first time I listened to them they blew my mind up. I’ve been collecting obscure records for some years: records that travel along grooves full of synths — synthwave, coldwave, darkwave… I am on a terminal loop where synthesizers — dark ones if possible — have kicked guitars out of my personal podium. This must be the reason why I had an actual orgasm when I first listened to Màquina Total. The orgy of synthesizers and vocal melodies to be found there spoke of a promising future. I thought: “These guys should get a record released by Domestica”. My fleeting thought materialized in a limited edition silver foil wrapped cassette released in 2015. The undisputed hits on the Bandcamp demos — like Palmeres and Megatron — had multiplied in this new effort. That mysterious finding had at last an identity: body, soul and even photographs. The mastermind behind Màquina Total was Virgili Jubero, a guy with a special sensibility for melodies and refined embellishments. Urbanització Esmeralda or Sol a Cancún were enough to pronounce Màquina Total a HIT, in uppercase.
A meteoric rise and a cycle that reach today a new level with the release of this first album — a splendid collection of both anthology hits and new achievements. It is enough to listen to a couple hits to understand two things: they are a hidden treasure and they will soon stop being so. Fortunately, this technified and globally connected world of ours will place Màquina Total where they belong: in the top league of synth bands able to make hits which transcend their own scene. A record and a band apt to stand on equal terms with international milestones, a pleasure for unadulterated pop lovers, a collection of hits to be equally enjoyed by fans of The Human League, John Carpenter, Spandau Ballet, Sebastian Tellier, Martin Dupont and Chris Isaak. A record which is already a serious contender for the Record of the Year tag.
You are all welcome to the unique and inimitable synthesized universe of Màquina Total, a place you won’t be able to leave anymore.
LP / Digital Album
