Federico Aubele

Federico Aubele is a man in the grip of powerful homesickness, and his sophomore album proves it. Though the reggae and electronic influences aren't gone, Panamericana really pays homage to the romantic and emotional bolero. Natalia Clavier's gossamer voice tangos (metaphorically) with Aubele's compositions and his ubiquitous acoustic guitar. At its best, it's sultry, sensuous work. If the album suffers at all, it's perhaps from a lack of tension. Lovely as it is, Panamericana could do with a little more of tango's angst and rhythmic uncertainty.