CHICARICA (Photo: Paola Velásquez @paolavelasquezdiaz
Press release
Santiago’s Chicarica proudly announce their new album, Invierno en la playa, which arrives on May 30th. In celebration of the announcement, the band shares the album’s lead single, “Antes del día.” Created entirely independently, Invierno en la playa initiates a new era for the Chilean synthpop trio, which consists of Lorena Pulgar (vocals and synths), Martín Pérez Roa (synths), and Felipe Zenteno (synths).
Beginning with a rubbery kick and chilly synthesizers, “Antes del día” launches the Invierno… era with a rush. The contrast between vocalist Lorena’s soft crooning and the insistent pounding of the beat captures much of the contrast at play on the album — hot and cold, sun and snow, windchill and ocean waves. Such juxtapositions call for news modes of expression, fresh ways to express the emotions of living in the 21st century. “Antes del día” is urgent and eager, ready to share Chicarica’s own vision for dancepop.
Recorded in both Santiago, Chile and Coatepec, México, Invierno en la playa kicks up the tempo for Chicarica. Though it retains the band’s trademark dreamy ambiance, the new album raises the group’s BPM, where elements of 2-step and ‘80s synthpop breathe extra life into the band’s atmospheric sound. To Chicarica, the movement is “the central axis,” the area where disparate pieces converge to elicit a reaction. That reaction, here, is to dance, to skip along to the rapid tempos of “Cara” and “Donde queda” while likewise sinking into the expansiveness of “Cisne” and “Bosque de niebla.” It’s an album for the dance floor that, rather than igniting the floor beneath you, gently sweeps you up off your feet and keeps you suspended in midair using billowy synths and airy vocals.
About Chicarica
Hailing from Santiago, Chile, Chicarica descend from a storied lineage of synthpop acts from their country: Javiera Mena, Alex Anwandter, Rubio. The trio share those acts’ knack for pop hooks and pleasing melodies, fashioning those elements into twinkling, wispy tracks that also draw inspiration from Jessy Lanza, Larry Heard, and Maria Minerva. Formed in 2016 during their time in university, Chicarica consists of Lorena Pulgar (vocals and synths), Martín Pérez Roa (synths), and Felipe Zenteno (synths). Their name comes from a euphemism of Zenteno’s, who used the phrase “chi-ca-ri-ca, chi-ca-ri-ca” pattern to teach musical lessons on rhythm. Their first EP, Dale Mami, arrived in 2018, followed by their first full length, Arde Lento (2021), released on the Quemasucabeza label. The ethereal, fluid nature of their music led to a remix version of Arde Lento, featuring remixes from Kamila Govorčin, René Roco, and Lorelei. Their fusion of Pulgar’s vocals, vaporous synthesizers, and groovy rhythms has brought them to the attention of outlets such as Rolling Stone Mexico, Indie Rocks, Potq Magazine, and Indie Hoy. In their native Chile, Chicarica’s work garnered recognition at the Pulsar Awards as well as the second annual Festival de Videoclips SAM, where their video “Mirada bella” took home three major prizes last year. Now fully independent, the band reveal their latest album Invierno en la playa, the beginning of a new era for Chicarica.
CHICARICA ONLINE: INSTAGRAM | BANDCAMP
