Darià Artiola is a Barcelona, Spain-based indie rock composer and performer who has just come to my attention through the release of his second album, If Memories Had Eyes.
By Graeme Smith
If Memories Had Eyes is an album that goes deep, exploring the concept of memory and asking the questions – what are they? Can we trust them? And what is real? If that feels a little too philosophical for you, then you’ll be pleased to know that it’s tempered by instrumental arrangements that will draw you in rather than put you off.
That starts right from the first few lingering notes of album opener Building. Darià’s vocals are instantly arresting when they come in, smooth and commanding as they deliver descriptive and poetic lyrics. Some plodding bass comes in, naturally leading to some head nodding before things nicely boil over with some jangly, vibrant pop rock.
This Ain’t Hollywood keep things upbeat while giving us some emotionally-charged and storytelling lyrics before Even Kings and Queens changes things up with some meandering bass and ponderous, Morrissey-esque vocals. In the early parts of If Memories Had Eyes, Darià proves to be the master of mixing styles while keeping things cohesive, something that runs right through the album.
As the album progresses, the emotion grows even stronger. Soaring, dreamy and melancholic moments like When You’re Off Alone and Dragons & Roses contrast the liveliness of the album’s early tracks nicely. What Is Real takes things on a surprise psych deviation before things then end powerfully with the image-laden and lapping Boat In The Harbour and, finally, the bright and forward-looking The Road Ahead.
There are few who can bear their soul with their music like Darià Artiola and he’s not afraid to go deep with his lyrics. Pairing that depth expertly with some lively and driving indie rock makes his second album a force to be reckoned with. Fans of the likes of Interpol are going to get a lot from Darià’s sound.
If Memories Had Eyes was produced by IK Miranda at IK Studio, Barcelona. It was performed by Albert Aran on drums, Antonio Rubio on guitars, Adrià Pastor on bass, IK Miranda on synth and guitars, and Darià Artiola on vocals and guitars.
You can give the album a listen below.
