FRIPPADA ANDALUZA

Oh yeah, this is so good!

Eight years after their debut album, Spanish band Malabriega has returned with a stunning release whose title 'Frippada Andaluza' suggests its connection to progressive rock or maybe a tribute to one of the genre's icons. This band had already satisfied my senses when I was introduced to their music, due to their great blend of prog rock, flamenco and jazz, with an evident Spanish sound mainly due to the vocals, however, while writing this review I feel really excited with this album, which I'd rank as one of my top prog albums from this still young 2025 so far.

Since the first self-titled track, 'Frippada Andaluza (La mar limpia)', I felt quite attracted to its sound, whose starts with acoustic guitar but with a kind of post-rock feeling that is being built-up while the seconds pass. It wonderfully flows, and then at minute three Juan Castro and his cantaor voice appear adding quite colorful textures and emotional sounds; at the same time, the music is really well-crafted, strings and drums all together taking us by the hand in a blend of prog, alt rock and, of course, a bit of flamenco. This song lasts ten minutes, so as you can imagine, there are some changes in mood and tempo, so in moments you will feel a vertiginous ride, and in others you will feel at ease.

'Tu pelo' starts again with acoustic guitar, then soft bass lines and voice join, later drums and after a minute there is a bridge that is quite attractive, with some lyrics that we Spanish-speakers would love to sing. I like when both acoustic and electric guitar interplay creating beautiful passages. There is also a kind of melancholic sound here, and with the vocals, the emotional side of Malabriega prevails. Joaquín Sáinz delight us with very nice guitar solos here and there.

A folkier sound closer to flamenco comes with 'El duelo', in which Manuel "Noly" Soto delights us with a really delicious spanish guitar performance, and though that Spanish sound is quite evident, I love how the band manages to produce a let's say "universal" sound when rock and prog take over, even with an amazing moment where Sergio Carmona's bass is a true highlight; and then in the ending part with a truly emotional passage.

'¿Qué será?' is divided in halves, the first part provides a soft rhythm, a charming sound, and then in the second one it becomes more attractive to my ears due to its increase of speed and emotions. I might be crazy, but I find in several Malabriega tracks some hints of popular prog rock bands such as Riverside or Porcupine Tree, but mixed with that Spanish sound, the result is amazing.

An interlude appears with 'Reencuentro', a short instrumental track with a charming sound led by strings, it will put a smile on your face. It leads to 'La levedad del ser' that has a darker sound, then that prog/alt rock sound begins and the song naturally flows, adding different figures and notes while the seconds pass, even with a very nice acoustic guitar solo. It's a powerful track, however I think it is easy to dig and enjoy.

'La libertad' brings indeed an atmosphere of freedom, I picture myself in an open air place enjoying life while listening to this with headphones and loving what my eyes see surrounding me. These guys know how to create a great balance of emotions, how to place the softer moments and the ones full of energy, and how to provide those feeling with and without vocals / lyrics.

Another great example of that balance comes with the amazing 'Reflejo Vacío', in which we can also appreciate a magnificent work by Raúl Gómez on drums, and that beautiful blend of acoustic and electric guitars. It is also a kind of multi-cultural experience, because that flamenco essence worderfully merges with that modern prog rock sound that comes from different parts of Europe, I mainly remember the UK, for instance. There is an amazing change of direction here, in an amazing instrumental passage that lasts only for a while, however, it makes a big impact. This is a hell of a song, truly amazing. This great album finishes with 'Calamidad' which might be the most Spanish song of all, first with the flamenco sound and then with the metal oriented one, without leaving aside that prog rock soul this band has. For the first time they bring spoken words which, of course, produce different textures and emotions. At minute three there is even a kind of spacey / atmospheric sound that takes us to a brief journey until it becomes heavier with the bass and drums. Yeah, I will name again the popular Porcupine Tree, because any fan who likes that project might feel enchanted by what Malabriega offers here, with their distinctive Spanish sound.

Great, great album, I encourage my readers to listen to it, I bet you will find a positive surprise, quite different from your daily musical experiences.

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