Nostalgic production lets a kind of old-school, out-side the party vibe, pour through in waves of occasional delicacy and depth alike. Barcelona producer Tota fuses the ambient and the energetic, throughout the thoughtfully soulful, evocative and atmospheric new album City Racer.
Openly influenced by the culture and sound of the nineties, Tota captures a series of moments throughout this 12-track album, with hooky melodies and racing tones all subtly woven into a near meditative mix in almost every case. The project is eclectic though, engaging from the outset, and with plenty of moments that stop you in your tracks, alongside those that softly encourage imaginative escapism and deeper thought.
Noting a plethora of original drum lines and gentle, dreamy and intimate indie vocals, the songwriting throughout City Racer is as consuming as the production, and on that count, Tota has done a fine job crafting something that feels genuinely alternative, but which also makes sure to satisfy in a broadly accessible fashion.
We’re somewhere between the likes of nostalgic trip hop and retro gamer storytelling, with a twist of indie singer songwriter wonder that’s again modest. In short, there’s something refreshing and comforting about City Racer, and it’s a project that keeps on giving as you revisit the playlist.
Album out November 29th. Pre-save City Racer. Find Tota on Instagram & Facebook.
