The Mars Volta release surprise new album
The Mars Volta’s latest album, Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacío, was released without any prior announcement, surprising fans who had already witnessed live performances of the entire album during the band’s recent tour with Deftones. Unlike typical album releases, The Mars Volta chose to unveil their new material on stage, showcasing all tracks in sequence and bypassing the traditional release of singles.
Prior to the album’s official release, Cedric Bixler-Zavala reportedly shared a CD-R copy with a hotel staff member, offering a sneak peek to a select few. With the album now available for streaming, The Mars Volta is gearing up for a fall headlining tour across 25 cities in the United States and Canada.
Following their previous album, Qué Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazón, which featured acoustic renditions of their earlier works, Lucro sucio ventures back into more abstract musical territories. The album blends elements of jazz, electronica, Latin influences, and ethereal songwriting, creating a unique and diverse sound palette.
With a total of 18 tracks, Lucro sucio features concise compositions, with only eight tracks exceeding the three-minute mark. Opening tracks like “Fin” and “Reina tormenta” set a minimalist tone, while songs such as “Nefilibata” and “Cue the Sun” showcase Bixler-Zavala’s distinctive vocals against a backdrop of synth textures and intricate drum patterns.
The album’s centerpiece, “Voice in My Knives,” stands out as the longest track, maintaining an ambient and introspective vibe that evolves throughout the second half of the album. Tracks like “Celaje” and “Vociferó” maintain a compact approach, while “Un disparo al vacío” introduces a burst of energy with salsa-inspired guitars and dynamic choruses.
Despite not following the conventional album release strategy, Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacío offers moments of melodic resonance, particularly in tracks like “The Iron Rose” and “Mictlán,” which exude a sense of soulfulness. While some critics have questioned the album’s departure from the band’s previous works, others view it as a deliberate exploration of unfinished concepts, suspended in a timeless realm.
As The Mars Volta embarks on their fall tour starting on October 25th in Dallas and concluding on November 29th in San Diego, fans can expect a unique live experience, devoid of hits and focused solely on the new album. With a diverse blend of musical influences and experimental sounds, Lucro sucio promises to captivate audiences with its innovative approach to storytelling through music.