I'm always excited about young emerging bands, especially ones that show more than a decent amount of promise. There's something just so immediate, fresh, and moving about the novel energy of young musicians that makes you feel like you've just been brought to life. In line with that, today, I will be tackling the first single from an upcoming debut by some Argentinian rockers. .MAR is the name of the band and it's more or less, everything you could ask for from an upcoming instrumental rock band.
While the band has already existed in its current form for nearly seven years, only this year will we finally see the fruit of their labor bloom. I don't want to give too much away right off the bat, but you are all in for a massive treat, so I suggest you all keep an eye out for Mar I — the debut album. Indeed, a release date hasn't been settled, but .MAR promise it will be with our ears sooner than later. To seal the deal, they're giving us a glimpse into it via "Fuerza", the third track from the record.
I'm just going to circle back a little, because I'm sure you might be wondering that seven years is quite some time for a band to stay under wraps. I totally agree, but hear me out, it's better than hearing years of hype and then being disappointed by a result due to exacerbated expectations. .MAR are doing it right and we won't have to wait forever to dig into Mar I. I would also add that the result is very satisfying.
"Fuerza" really kicks us into the midst of what .MAR is all about. It gives us a good grasp of where the band takes inspiration from, but also acquaints us with their neat artistic vision, not to mention the absolutely huge sound they have. I mean that "huge" part, I was very surprised when I hit play because the mix is really fucking loud for what I've been used to such bands having in terms of production. I loved that bit so much.
Now, it's not just about being loud, but I led with that, as it was the first thing that ran me over. The stylistic blend that we're engorging on through the course of "Fuerza" basically makes us think of an instrumental progressive rock/metal type band. It also leans well into post rock territory, while taking some subtle cues from math rock as well. It's a very organic mixture, which keeps us engaged throughout the entirety of the song's run.
The highly energetic feel of the song, coupled with its bright attitude and uplifting demeanor make it really deserving of its title, which translates from Spanish as 'force/strength/power'. It's all right there and I'm almost willing to bet it's impossible to listen to it without bobbing your head at the very least. The song really embodies the South American ethos, which almost feels like it's entirely about lush sunrises, warm atmospheres, and all things lively, filled to the brim with joie-de-vivre that's above words.
Alright, enough of this, go hit play and decide for yourself!
.MAR is comprised of: Augus Fernandez Britos on bass, Rodrigo Torres Pinelli on drums, synths, and programming, and Manuel Cernello on guitars, synths, and programming.
"Fuerza" is .MAR's undisputed candidate for a single release. Through the hills and valleys, the band takes a simple motif to craft a heartfelt piece, portraying a sense of intensity and hope. This song might be the band's best attempt to describe what they are
If you like what you see, or better yet, hear, make sure to follow .MAR on Facebook, YouTube, Bandcamp, and/or Instagram.
