What does El Búho sound like?

Cumbia folktronica, now with Richard Houghten’s guitar chops.

The review of ‘Kerala Rain’ by El Búho

I love a good inspiration story. ‘Kerala Rain’ was sparked through an Instagram DM. As Richard and El Búho chatted, they gained mutual respect for each other’s work. El Búho brings folktronica with deep roots in Andean culture, and Richard Houghten is a guitarist who can freestyle his way around anything. El Búho had been sitting on a melodic idea inspired by a recording of torrential rain he had recorded in Kerala, India. He sent it to Richard to wax his fretwork all over it.

What followed was the opening track for a selection of music that is designed to feel calming, cosy, and homely. The downtempo rhythm of ‘Kerala Rain’ skips with a pep, but it’s the cascading soft acoustic guitar that meshes with the rain recording that evokes freshness and renewal. It feels like we’re cocooned inside a bubble of warmth, and the rain sounds bountiful yet soft outside on the pavements and rooftops. Add in some gentle synths that descend like bubbles, and you have a beauty.

Whilst Richard Houghten provides support with the title track, other artists step in for the other tracks on the EP. ‘Dandelion’ brings in Tamada for vocals for a post-rainshower sunrise. The low and slow beats let birdsong and a wavy flute and synth flute duo lead the way. Kerala doesn’t feel far away at all when uplifting, vibrantly buzzing synths slowly bleed over the speakers to calm hand percussion. ‘Aurora’ is a glocal mash-up of styles and ideas, with La Chica lending ethereal vocals over the top. Muted in-room recorded piano provides structure over lots of tiny wooden stick percussion, hues of light synths, and soft marching beats. I feel like we’re in a cosy cafe, drinking elixirs passed down from generations before. As the track progresses, more electronic elements seep in, and the vocals transition from ethereal whispers to something more full-bodied. The whole track is delicate, like a secret we must protect.

‘Igorre’ is the first track on the album that brings big beats. We have moved beyond the rain and recovery now, and are in the blossoming of nature. Дeva provides an uplifting vocal, moving from evocative verse cries to warm layered vocals of herself for the choruses. What I love most about this song is that I can hear the South American influences working together with the Indian influences to the point where they feel inseparable. Whether it’s the vocal delivery, the chord progressions, or the general intention of the track, it’s a bright and beautiful mixture. That leaves us with the closer ‘Sierra del Mar’, bringing Alex Serra in for male vocals. This reggaeton-infused downtempo track has a beach-party, but it’s 3 am, and we’ve conked out by the fire vibe to it. The slinky brass and carefree vocal delivery add to that feeling. I cannot imagine this song being performed without someone in a bucket hat! The reggae influence is omnipresent with rhythmic guitar effects that spin out with heavy reverb. Together, it makes this a chilled finale to unwind to.

El Búho continues to explore different cultures, musical styles, and influences, and this highly collaborative EP is a great example of this. He is still at the forefront of nu-cumbia music, too. The particular highlights for me are where he meshes the Indian musical influences so elegantly that it becomes a fusion of culture all of its own. It’s where global feels local, and I hope El Búho continues to explore other musical heritages for more inspiration in the future.

Recommended track: ‘Igorre’

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