Two years after their exceptional debut LP ‘Home Alone’, Totorro return with ‘Come To Mexico’ and, man, what an absolute joy it is to have them back. ‘Come To Mexico’ launches Totorro to the forefront of the ever-growing math-rock scene, and the four-piece from Rennes prove that having fun is just as important as soaring soundscapes and walls of ambience.
Fresh from a UK tour with New Jersey’s Vasudeva, and signing to the always brilliant Big Scary Monsters, Totorro have delivered a masterclass in creating intricate, uplifting and purely joyful music that both excites and inspires. Throughout ‘Come To Mexico’, they show their playful, energetic, youthful side, whilst also displaying their natural talent. The word ‘epic’ springs to mind at times and, as much as that word has been destroyed by fourteen-year old kids with Wotsit dust all over their fingers screaming at YouTube videos, it is the only word that can accurately describe the soaring crescendos that Totorro build.
The album kicks off with ‘Brocolissimo’, a wonderfully familiar (if you’re already a fan of Totorro) combination of intertwined guitar parts and incredible drumming. Previously released ‘Yaaaago’ follows and with it Totorro take us on a journey, ebbing and flowing through rudiments and repeated guitar parts that combine to put the biggest smile on your face. Following the ambient, slow-burning ‘Ouad & Khaled’, ‘Tomate Polisson’ is a relentless, ferocious barrage of duelling guitars, driving bass and pounding drums (featuring some of the dopest doubles on a kick drum for quite some time). But, Totorro aren’t just about the unexpected, fast-paced endings. ‘100% Repos’ shows that they are just as good at a slow-build as a grand finish, repeating and building upon a guitar riff for close to four minutes in a move that will leave you unable to think of anything else for days. Not that you’re going to want to, of course. This is all you need now. Totorro own your brain, and it’s amazing.
There are moments of respite – the aforementioned ‘Ouad & Khaled’ and the ephemeral, floating ‘Clara Mystère’ – and these breaks allow you to process what you’ve just heard, and prepare you for what’s to come. The penultimate track builds constantly throughout and when the relentless crescendo finally stops, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking the album was over. But, no, Totorro come back with an even more ferocious ending that leaves you dumbfounded. Closer ‘Come To Mexico’ is one of the most feel-good and heart-warming tracks of the year and Totorro stake their claim confidently and boldly for Album Of The Year (we don’t even know how many times we’ve said that this year. 2016 just keeps one-upping itself with music).
Frequently changing direction and contrasting light with heavy, clean with distorted, ‘Come To Mexico’ not only blows you away on first listen, but becomes even more impressive on repeat listens. 2016 has undoubtedly been a tough year and heading into winter, things look like they’re about to get worse. Thankfully, we have Totorro to keep our heads nodding and a smile plastered on our face. This album is a necessity. Get involved.
CONOR MACKIE