A psychedelic cumbia journey into the underworld.
Lest our dear readers think this review is in some kind of code, an explanation. XIXA is the name of a band who blend their Latin roots into a psychedelic, mysterious sound that perfectly matches the desert expanse around their home in Tucson. The AUK review of their 2021 debut album gives a thorough insight into what XIXA are all about. Spin forward four years and these troubadours of the southwest are back with their fertile imagination and innovative musical approach set in a new direction but without forsaking their roots. Still very mysterious and cinematic, ‘XOLO’ is a concept album that tells the story of a journey through an underworld based on Mayan and Aztec cultures. As they travel XIXA delve deeper into their Latin heritage while adding the vitality of cumbia to their psychedelic brew. Writers, lead guitarists and vocalists Brian Lopez and Gabriel Sullivan have created a compelling tale that does not lack contemporary relevance.
The album title ‘XOLO’ (the “X” pronounced “ch”) is a breed of hairless Mexican dog that in those ancient cultures was held sacred and thought to be guides to the underworld. Each of the album’s nine tracks represents a stage on a journey made in that nether world by Arcoiris, a young girl, and her sacred canine protector El Xolo. Together these songs follow the duo through mystery and darkness to find freedom and peace. In step with this perilous journey is XIXA’s panoramic soundscape of Latin rhythms, cumbia and psychedelia.
There is no gentle introduction into this world, instead the blast of fuzz base and throbbing beat of opener ‘Xoloitzcuintli’ hurls Arcoiris, El Xolo (and the listener) right into the dark reaches of this fantastical world in a maelstrom of sound, “Step beyond the sacred door/ Walk a waking life no more”. After that initial shock treatment, the gentle lilt of ‘Find You There’ gradually adjusts the listener to this new world, but not without a hint of apprehension as to what lies ahead. ‘Apanoayan’, named after the first level to be traversed, flows like the river the two travellers have to cross. ‘Xolo de Galaxia’ salutes the sacred dog, A long-time partner of the band, Mona Chambers who sings the part of Arcoiris, fills the chorus full of gratitude. Yet there still remains trepidation that two further guests, Rob Grey and Mick Conroy of Modern English, seek to diminish on ‘It Doesn’t Matter’. Their vocals and synth depict Arcois and El Xolo’s firm resolve to press on, “Blood of the land/ Drifting through sand/ Arcoris y Xolo”.
Reversing roles ‘Arcoiris’ is also a celebration as XIXA pay full tribute to their Chicha roots, a blend of Peruvian style cumbia and psychedelia. The hypnotic flow is irresistible and a welcome break from their darker side. Immersing themselves deeper into cumbia Lopez and Sullivan cite ‘La Danza De Los Jaguares’ as their favourite on the album based on their love for“Rebajada” a particular subset of cumbia slowed down by the DJ or “Sonidero”. The languid tempo is chillout but with a hint of menace, perhaps unsurprising as those jaguars are said to eat the hearts of the dead.
Nearing journey’s end Lopez and Sullivan describe ‘Waves of Serenity’ as a “calm before the storm”. But what follows is a storm of relief because the intrepid travellers have made it. ‘Heart of The World’ is the ninth and final track and an untrammelled celebration. Chambers (Arcoiris) sings with unabashed joy, “No longer consumed by fear/ No longer do shadows control the sky/ El Xolo has delivered me home/ The darkness has succumbed to light”. A lovely touch that adds to the joy and relief is the children of friends of the band singing the chorus.
First impressions of ‘XOLA’ can be overwhelming and there is a lot to take in. But persevere, allow the story and luscious cumbia vibe to take over and you are in for something very different and really most enjoyable.
