El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez
Cryptomnesia

Omar's music should be described using enigmatic metaphors; only in this absurd way can it be processed just enough. In this album, the guitarist channels his mastery into the usual psychedelic progressive rock, utilizing the vocal talents of his faithful companion Cedric Bixler Zavala. Omar leans into creating a main guitar riff, wearing it out and patching it together with other disorienting yet well-orchestrated riffs that produce convulsive whirlwinds into which bass and synthesizer are sucked, while the drums provide the driving force; the rhythm changes are continuous and create architectural intrigues ready to degenerate at any moment.

Cedric is more melodic and less hysterical than usual, as he demonstrates in "Tuberculoids," where the guitar is the crank that turns, turns, and turns to set the mechanism in motion, while in "Half Kleptos" it jerks and slows, jerks and slows. In the title track, there is a coiling of notes and a seductive voice mingling with sharp and hyperspatial sounds during the chorus, while in the verses the singing blends with Omar's concoctions. "They're Coming To Get You, Barbara" opens and closes with bit sounds, the guitar here is a thread that weaves in and out of a dense fabric, driven by the drums, a heavy-handed weaving. In the album, each track is the continuation of the previous one, practically a single piece: in "Puny Humans" we have quick twists and pauses, it's the typical song of the early Mars Volta, and it continues with the next two tracks where you can glimpse bass and drums in Tool's style, the latter even becoming orgiastic; Cedric is shady, echoing and going mad. "Papercunts" is an alternation of verses and riffs, and the sounds of this track also refer back to the duo's main band. The following track features a rapid, almost stumbling guitar, then in "Warrenoates" the singing returns alongside the final instrumental spasms. The album closes with a children's song background, entertaining.

Overall, the album is significantly more listenable compared to many of the Puerto Rican artist's previous works, perhaps also thanks to its short duration, which doesn't make it exhausting for those who don't like the character.

To be enjoyed with tequila beer... phenomenal!