Mario Quintero is part of numerous musical entities that I appreciate quite a bit, principally as a founding member of Sleep Lady and Spotlights. Both of those bands may share some stylistic elements here and there, but with his first solo offering, Codas, he taps into immensely different space than he ever has previously.
Four remarkably different tracks are present on this debut EP, Currents. The first song, “The Sun Martyr” maybe the darkest and heaviest on the EP. Pulsing and crunchy bass lines swirl around a kaleidoscope of effects and triggers that will make your head spin and your neck snap.
“Follow the Blind” is a drastic change in pace and sound and is the most energetic track on Currents. The song never stays idle for long. Lots of contrast and shifts in tone occur here and it is played at a noticeably faster pace than the other songs.
The third track is “White Black” and the drums here are fantastic. Break neck pace, at moments the drums even feel like something you might hear on a black metal album, but only briefly. As I have described with previous tracks, the mood changes often on Currents and this track offers up its own unique sound.
The final title track “Currents” is the most unique on the EP. This is a very eerie song and the moment on Currents that I would call the most somber and reflective. The pace slows way down, until erupting into a chaotic breakdown that reminds me of the chaotic style of some Aphex Twin songs.
While an EP is not viewed as significantly as a full length, they are often wonderful ways to acquaint yourself with an artist who is carving out their sound. Codas’ Currents hints at a very bright future for an already accomplished and diverse musician. Currents is out now digitally via Crowquill Records.
Rating: 4.5/5
Codas Links:
Paul runs Bleeding Light Records.