Coconot

Spain is notoriously conservative musically, but that hasn't deterred the inventive Barcelona-based group Coconot. Their tropicalia-influenced second album dropped just about the time bandleader Pablo Diaz-Reixa (aka El Guincho) released his lauded solo debut Alegranza. Comparisons are inevitable and rewarded. El Guincho's manic global carnival rears its head repeatedly -- you can even hear tropical birds singing through the psychedelic swirl of noise -- though the band equally draws comparisons to acts like Animal Collective. It's an exuberantly weird release, and hugely satisfying.