3 SENTENCE REVIEW // Balako - Don’t Give Up

July 13, 2018 - Greco-Roman Records

Musicians/DJs/producers Rodrigo Peirão and Diogo Strausz from Rio de Janeiro have released new material on Greco-Roman Records, a label known for its melodic journeys guided by the likes of Disclosure, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Lxury, and the Hot Chip man himself, Joe Goddard. Balako’s use of studio-recorded instruments, vocals, synths, and drum machines sets the ambiance off for a Piña Colada-fueled sexy sunset yacht tour, but the facade soon thins, revealing the animatronics and painted backdrops of an island themed amusement park ride. The ingredients are present but come off as watered down and spread too thinly over the six and a half minute track, though perhaps we shouldn’t “give up” — Balako shows promise and there is a trove of remix potential here. 🍍