MODULAR – “FUGA AL PARAISO” (2016)

15 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG, MODULAR RELEASES FUGA AL PARAISO AS A TRIBUTE TO DISCO

One of the reasons I am digging Elefant Records is because of the unique and experimental music they are releasing. Modular is another example of non-mainstream pop that makes me love my job. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I took a look at their list of albums released this year and put Modular on my list. As soon as I plugged in the headphones and enveloped myself with the music, I was pleasantly surprised. I think Elefant Records may be getting my next paycheck.

The group is a duo whose members are Mariana Badaracco and Pablo Dahy are both from Argentina. Modular Fuga Al Paraiso (Escape to Paradise), is the newest album in a career that has spanned fifteen years but is only the third full album. The album explores so many different sounds and genres that it is hard to pinpoint an exact science to their music. Songs have disco influences, dance, psychedelic pop, and folk-pop. Then they give you samples of Bassa novas and funk. You can even hear accents of German and French music in their tracks. It’s a sound, unlike anything I have heard in a while. I almost feel like I am watching a bad 70’s film.

MODULAR’S FUGA AL PARAISO IS A BRILLIANT MIX OF GENRES BLENDED INTO A 70’S FILM SOUNDTRACK

What makes it Modular Fuga Al Paraiso so enjoyable is that their style of pop is so unique that it beats listening to Top 40 any day. It is music that you can listen to on a long road trip. Out of the eleven tracks on the album, a couple of them are instrumental. “La Alfombra Magica” (Magic Carpet), the drums were recorded by Andy Ramsay from Stereolab. “Jack Rabbit” is a cover of Joe Raposo, famous for his Sesame Street songs. Another song from Joe Raposo is “Flamingo.”

Modular’s style is a happy trip back to the 60’s and 70’s, then catapults you into outer space for a fun ride. I don’t see how anyone could not like the listening to this music. It’s a brilliant mix of so many sounds that blend into one funtastic album. It was released on CD as well as a limited edition numbered vinyl, which is on my wish list now.