Los Angeles’ ¡Aparato! self-titled debut EP merges catchy electronic beats with traditional Mexican folk instrumentation creating a hybrid sound similar to early recordings by Mexico’s Café Tacvba. At the same time, Cat, the main singer in the duo, uses her bilingual identity in most of the songs to tell stories from her own perspective as a Mexican American Angelino dealing with daily struggles such as civil rights violations, immigration, and drug war turfs. ¡Aparato! belongs to a new group of Los Angeles acts that mixes socio-political themes, alternative music sounds, and traditional folk musical elements.

RIYL: Café Tacvba, Ely Guerra, Carla Morrison, Las Cafeteras, Chicano Batman, Los Amparito, and Los Lobos’ Kiko LP.

FCC CLEAN!!
Recommended Tracks: 2, 4, 5

1. (3:08) Desarmar [Disarm] – Cool synthesizers, dance beats, and lyrics about gun control. Top that!
2. (3:30) *Estrellitas [Little Stars] – Nice guitar work. Dreamers coast to coast!
3. (2:31) Skinny Jean Is Not My Lover – Café Tacvba’s influence here. Poppy!
4. (4:29) **El Ajusco – The best song on the EP. Atmospheric and catchy.
5. (5:54) *Aurora [Dawn] – Nice synthesizer work. Vocals and breaks: check!
6. (3:26) Kriminal – The most obvious protest song on the EP. Enough said.