The Tanxugueiras have again sparked conversation across the music world, marking a new milestone in the Spanish industry. With a Galician album rooted in traditional sound, their third release, Diluvio, claimed the top spot as the best-selling physical album in its first week, arriving from Los Angeles and highlighting a bold international presence. The band and their collaborators continue to face critique that their material sounds similar, but with the percussionist and producer Iago Pico, the team dissects those claims and expands the sonic landscape.
2. Treble
This instrumental track opens the album with a stormy atmosphere of rain and thunder. The trio of pandereiras conjures a downpour that challenges stereotypes. The rain sounds are real, blended with electronic textures and natural ambience. Pico notes a fondness for the group and describes crafting soundscapes that feel cinematic, aligning with the overall mood found in Figa.
3. Arika
The title nods to the moment it was conceived, yet the lyrics address the idea of an ideal partner as the album embarks on a journey through vices, evoking echoes of classic Galician poets and medieval allegories. Musically, the opening leans Celtic, reminiscent of a Lorient-esque séance of muiñeira tambourine rhythms. Pico explains the percussion blends tin and pandeiro textures with processed electronics, noting that the third track predates broader festival trends by a year.
4. Laziness
The verses explore a struggle with motivation, urging a dancer to break free, move forward, and summon the strength to overcome laziness. This traditional passodoble merges with a dramatic color and cinematic elements, according to Pico. The production highlights soundscapes again and weaves a chorus with a symphonic touch from synthesizers and a live brass section. Pico also shares that this is among his favorite cuts on the record.
5. Midas
The band ventures into a new electronic-infused phase, continuing a recent shift. A track that racked up more than two million views on video platforms, it was produced by Fer Peleteiro. Pico describes layering percussive accents and an electronics-forward approach that intensifies the chorus. He explains the shift to blend Galician rhythms with hip hop influences in 6 by 8 time, along with occasional autotune to shape the vocal textures.
6. Panel doro
This piece champions sexual freedom while confronting judgment, with Sabela delivering a rumba-infused vocal that bridges Galician roots with flamenco textures. Pico lists the addition of flamenco box drums, acoustic guitar, electric bass, and an alto saxophone to create a fresh, dynamic sound. He also praises Sabela’s nuanced delivery in Galician couplets.
7. Sorra
Midway through the album, an a cappella introduction unfolds into tambourine-led textures that pay homage to traditional themes and pioneers. The track was captured with Isaac Palacín, the band’s percussionist and producer of the previous project, aiming for a clean, intimate sound with minimal electronic intervention.
8. Reapers
Beyond synthesizers, pandeiros provide a crispy percussion backbone, with occasional risqué riffs and a bold chorus. The result blends metal-like heft with electronic and Galician tonalities, casting a darker atmosphere. Pico calls it a favorite to perform live, noting how much joy it brings on stage.
9. Avernus
Featuring Rayden, the track has amassed millions of views and at times carries a vintage VHS vibe. The narrative centers on anger, turning hip hop into a risk-taking, contemporary blend. Rayden was impressed by the direction and is actually collaborating with the Galician producer on a future urban project. The accompanying video, shot in Vigo, marked a standout moment in the year’s festival circuit.
10. Figa
This anthem against envy nears three million views, a track many fans hoped would contend at major festival showcases. It revisits Muiñeira in a bold percussion arrangement, with an improvised moment born from the studio setup. Pico explains the decision to keep a natural feel, even noting the unique sound of the desk improvisation and the absence of a typical pandeiro. The piece weaves castanets into the rhythm after silences, balancing tradition with electronic textures in a provocative way.
11. Hate for Fame
The album’s critique of gluttony and the modern obsession with beauty questions social norms. The track pairs rumba with a lighter reggaeton influence, complemented by flamenco cajón, guitar, and tambourine to deliver a defiant, self-empowering message.
12. Earth
Time was tight, yet the idea of a Galician epic carried the day. The approach blended live instrumentation with on-the-road sound design, producing an epic feel. The track’s reception on streaming platforms has been extraordinary, generating record-breaking views that underscore the group’s rising reach.
13. Acougo
The album closes with a storm that gradually settles, looping back to the opening mood and offering a moment of quiet reflection after the storm. A conclusive breath at the end of the journey.