Album Review: Los Bitchos, Talkie Talkie

The second album from London-based quartet Los Bitchos is a sprawling adventure taking in funk, disco, Latin and Turkish soundscapes. As ever, the tracks are predominantly instrumental, bar the occasional ad-lib, like the one that concludes 'Hi!': "Suck on that one, bitch!"

Imbued with a cinematic feel and a playful '80s aesthetic, Talkie Talkie transports the listener to a tropical late night paradise. Los Bitchos' experimental flair and sense of mischief really sparkles on synth-pop gem 'Talkie Talkie, Charlie Charlie', while the mix of mystic riffs and pulsating rhythms makes '1K' irresistible. Each of the 12 tracks seamlessly flows into the next, making for holistic plugged-in excellence.

Los Bitchos’ catalogue has long been lauded for its bombastic bangers and teased-out maximalism, but the sheer quality of Talkie Talkie marks a new departure. A surf-rock odyssey wonderfully incorporating South American and Latin grooves, the album marks a new peak of excellence for this most daring of groups.

8/10