José Gonzaléz
In Our Nature
4/5

Who It’s For: Quiet Jim O’Rourke fans will dig it, as will folkies.
Sounds Like: Gonzaléz’s debut Veneer after watching Arrested Development

You get the feeling José Gonzaléz has lightened up a little since the world started paying him the attention he deserves. Either that or he’s listening to a lot of Thom Yorke’s stuff, because In Our Nature is full of pithy epithets that put that wry smile on your face. Some day you’ll be up to your knees / In the shitty sea spikes  from “How Low,” and that’s literally only the beginning.

Apart from the jabs however you won’t be finding a big move away from the endearing formula Gonzaléz nailed on debut Veneer, although the influence of his Junip project is in evidence, not least on “Down The Line,” with Gonzaléz slapping away at his guitar like bombs raining down on the White House. The Latin rhythms and futurist folk doesn’t so much shake you up as inject itself into your vein, and you’d be pushed to find anything on here that you could even hint at was below par because you’re too busy allowing those aching riffs to play away in your subconsciousness.

Veneer disappointed some because it wasn’t all like “Heartbeats,” so you’d be stupid to think In Our Nature is ten tracks a bit like José’s cover of Massive Attack’s “Teardrop” (even if it does bring a big smile to your face every time you hear it). So those who hated Veneer beware. For the rest of us In Our Nature is yet another shining album from a most promising (and rewarding) artist.


Track Listing:

1. How Low
2. Down The Line
3. Killing For Love
4. In Our Nature
5. Teardrop
6. Abram
7. Time To Send Someone Away
8. The Nest
9. Fold
10. Cycling Trivialities

- Kid Lupin