Otherness  - Self Titled

True originality, of the peerless, rather unique variety, doesn’t come along that often in this line of work. In my opinion there’s nothing wrong with wearing your influences on your sleeve; indeed, it’s sometimes an integral part of a band’s musical development; but when a record comes along that gleefully thwarts all attempts to apply a general stylistic tag, it’s a real breath of fresh air... And this, the debut full length from Argentinean quartet Otherness, is one such genre-shirking work.

Incorporating elements of electro, punk, blues, tango and plenty more besides into a sound that is both uplifting and immediate, Otherness sound like no one else, and that is most definitely a good thing. Fronted by brothers Martin (Guitar/Vocals) and Gonzalo Cativa (Bass/vocals,) the band offer up eight tracks of eccentric, catchy and above all honest music, with Adrian Bersais and Pablo Gaggioni respectively contributing a dose of shimmering, fiery keyboard and solid percussion on the likes of future dancefloor anthem ‘Adorable’ and the bluesy, raunchy final track ‘Once Begop.’ If we factor in the brothers’ distinctively pitched vocals and an overall songwriting approach that is far from the norm, (as evidenced on any song here that I could care to mention) we’re left with something that balances innovation and musical nous to a tee, in my eyes making this an essential listen .

Though initially unlikely to appeal to all due to said refusal to kowtow to the genre police, I find it hard to imagine an open minded listener (albeit with a healthy interest in the aforementioned styles of music) not being won over by Otherness’ mix of unforgettable tunes, a thoughtful and ethically aware ethos, and an overwhelming respect for music in its purest form, the band beginning to cultivate a multinational following as I speak. It’s a formula that the band describe in far more eloquent fashion that I could; ‘No Prejudices, No Racism, No Sexism, Passion, Humour, Ingenuity’. No need to say more really.