Guara - Fauna

 

Guara - Fauna
Self-released - October 2022
Psych, Prog, Krautrock, Spacerock
Rated: ****

Released this past October, "Fauna" is the first full-length by Argentinian quartet Guara, and it's a ten song trip through euphoric, epic psychedelia. Guara blend heavy psych with progressive, space rock, krautrock, and more to create a beautiful sound that's strikingly bright and uplifting. The album starts off strong with "Pulqui", luring in the listener with spaghetti western noodling, eventually transforming into a hypnotically circular lick that feels like it could go on into eternity. Fiery guitar work accentuates the feel-good vibes, which happily extend throughout "Fauna". Things get a little spicy with highlight track "Chico Fantasma", though, which lays down a punchy riff over keys and even horns, ending with a headlong sprint towards the finish line that veers into unmistakably heavy regions of psych rock. A far more tranquil, dreamy mood takes hold in tracks like "Flora" and "Narcolepsia", the latter of which adds in some funk that melds seamlessly with Guara's colorful sound and is all too easy to lose oneself in. There's no weak track in the bunch, but final and longest cut "Voyager 2052" ends the record on a high note. It's a spacey, shimmering journey into the ether that drifts along patiently, rising and swelling with layers of keys and shredding guitar that make the ten minute duration feel like no time at all. Guara have struck gold on "Fauna", treating us to a slice of sonic bliss with vibes you'll be happy to find stick around long after the final notes.

(Written by Kyle SB)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Spotify