I’ve Just Discovered :: Joe Crepúsculo

I’ve Just Discovered :: Joe Crepúsculo - V

Posted by V

I wonder how this writeup might differ if I’d found the music of Joe Crepúsculo (real name, Joël Iriarte) prior to the explosion known as Neon Indian. Iriarte’s key-filled simplistic beats are comparable to Neon Indian’s compositions, just sub in a 4-track for Alan Palomo’s analog tape loops and add splashes of jazz and Spanish folk influence. The similarities end with their beats. Vocally, Iriarte sounds nothing like Palomo, but there’s something similarly arresting about his crackling, raspy, distinctly flat-toned voice that you can’t help but stop whatever you’re doing to cock an ear towards his unique ballads.

Iriarte has released three albums under his Crepúsculo moniker and his 2008 sophomore release Supercrepus is the strongest of the trio. This year’s release, Chill-Out, has a significantly more pronounced studio sound and leaves behind much of the twinkly lo-fi that makes Iriarte’s earlier material so charming. I hope Chill-Out is just an experimental deviation, and Iriarte will return to a stack of lonely keyboards in his bedroom for his next album.

For a taste of Iriarte’s other musical endeavors, check out Spanish band Tarántula.

Joe Crepusculo – Vente Conmigo (192 kbps)

Joe Crepusculo – El Faro (192 kbps)