underthepropaganda drops debut album ‘AY!’

In the early months of 2023, underthepropaganda was formed by the passion for music shared among friends. Frontman Luis Lopez, along with Matias Montenegro, Matias Martinez and Claudio Guzman, set out on a musical journey that led to the creation of this exciting indie rock band.

Drawing influences from artists like Foals, Far Caspian, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Inner Wave, underthepropaganda have crafted their own unique take on the style. Their debut came in November 2023 with the release of the split single “demos_01,” marking their entrance in the music scene.

The band’s distinctive sound continued to evolve with the guidance of producer Cristobal Cornejo and has culminated in the release of their debut album titled AY!. Bringing us the full-length record, they share the full scope of their highly original and entirely thrilling sonic vision across nine songs. Produced in various studios in Santiago de Chile, the album captures the essence of the band’s creative journey.

Opened by “Don’t Stop with me,” the band links with Sofia Pilar for a laid back indie jam that opens with shimmering synth tones, gently snapping drums and pulsing bass notes. Luis threads smooth vocal leads carrying lilting melodic leads before being joined by the bright voice of Sofia as slick guitar flourishes accent the mix. Reaching a smokey atmosphere capped by sax leads, it’s a heady blend of hazy guitar chords, mellow rhythm and intoxicating melodic writing to set up the band’s album.

“No Longer Friends” hops with an uptempo rhythm where bouncy drums propel intricate guitar plucks and dynamic vocal leads. It’s an instantly catchy, pop-focused indie rock outing that showcases the wide appeal of the band while revealing their sonic range.

“OBEY” continues their unique indie style with a balance of guitar layers and synth flutters colliding above lively drums. Commanding vocal leads bend from spirited rhythmic stabs to hushed melodic stretches, perfectly matching the ebb and flow of the song.

Other highlights on the record include songs like “This Morning – Jungle Reprise” with its shuffling drums, playful guitar arrangement and blissful vocal leads cutting through the arrangement. On “Quiero Colarme” the band links with Salares to deliver the perfect taste of their Latin inspired sound driven by the soft patter of drums, twang of guitar and breezy split vocal performance.

The album closes with “wait!,” offering a taste of their elegant songwriting with a graceful acoustic sound. Soft acoustic guitar strums underpin smooth vocals as bird chirps softly adorn the mix, resulting in an intimate lo-fi finale to the band’s incredible first full-length release.

Listen to AY! below