Belgrado - Siglo XXl

Returning with their sophomore effort, Siglo XXI, Barcelona’s Belgrado delivers a "stunning and clear" evolution of the sound they first ignited on their 2011 debut. Released on the prestigious La Vida Es Un Mus label, this 11-track album is a "major triumph" of atmosphere and precision, blending the "hellish fury" of 80s English gothic rock with a "shimmering and modern" DIY spirit. It is a record where "reverb is as important as any instrument," creating a "lush and cinematic" landscape that feels both "intimate and monolithic."

The album’s "sonic identity" is anchored by "driving and muscular" basslines that lead each track into the deepest corners of the batcave, while the vocals "yearn and ache" with a "soulful and realized" intensity. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Killing Joke, Vex, and Blood and Roses, Belgrado has bettered their previous work in every way—from the "vibrant rhythmic interplay" to the "stentorian clarity" of the production. This LP is a "foundational document" for anyone seeking the perfect bridge between "vintage gloom and urgent, contemporary energy."