mansuetude (noun) man·sue·tude ˈman(t)-swi-ˌtüd man-ˈsü-ə- -ˌtyüd :
the quality or state of being gentle : meekness, tameness
Have you ever met Eugene S. Robinson (vocalist and frontman for the thunderous Rock force that is Buñuel)? Have you indeed ever listened to Buñuel? Neither experience will likely have “meekness” being the first (or indeed within the first hundred) descriptives that come to mind.
BUNUEL_2_by_Annapaola Martin ghostcultmag
So make what you will of the band’s choice of Mansuetude (SKiN GRAFT Records/ Overdrive) as the title of their fourth album (the follow-up to 2022’s Killers Like Us). In Buñuelland the sense of visceral danger is never far away. That doesn’t mean you’re about to get punched in the face… but you’d best have your guard up just in case.
But if that all sounds rather threatening, don’t worry, everyone gets what they deserve in this musical universe. So be on your best behaviour as you sit back and enjoy one of the most energizing, powerful and unique Rock records you’re going to hear this year.
Those familiar with Robinson (whether with the sadly now-defunct Oxbow, Buñuel’s earlier releases, or elsewhere) will know the man is a singular vocal presence. Mansuetude features all the rabid, seething energy you know and love from the charismatic frontman. Credit too for the production on Robinson’s vocals (recorded separately from the rest of the band). Listening to Mansuetude, you don’t just get Robinson, but layers of Robinsons, sometimes front and centre, sometimes lunging out at you like a shadowy figure from all directions.
Musically, the record is no less inspired. Opener “Who Missed Me” sees the band playing with intentionally divergent rhythms that spread apart between the guitar and bass on one hand and the clattering drums on the other (while also flipping between a more straight-up Hard Rock attack and a Post-Punk/ New Wave-style section).
Basically, be ready for everything and anything from one moment to the next (from the creepy, churning “Bleat” to the perfectly titled “High Speed Chase”). But to echo Robinson’s words on the charging “Drug Burn,” it’s going to be heavy. Mansuetude is heavy, but it’s not not lumbering or crass, far from it. This is intelligent, intellectual Rock music — intelligent with (musical) fists of fury.
The power of Valente’s drumming when he’s going full tilt is a thing to marvel at, but just as impressive is the band when they’ve branching out into more atmospheric, ambient territory — as they do on tracks like “Movement Number 201” or the menacing “Leather Bar.”
With guitarist Xabier Iriondo known for creating his own guitars and the band deploying various effects and samples through the record, you may not always know what the instruments are, which all adds to the sense of menace. Something’s coming out of the darkness, its form and intentions not entirely clear.
Jacob Bannon (Converge), guitarist Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard), and Megan Osztrosits of Couch Slut are just a few of the guests adding their own singular identities to what is already a singular record. To be sure Mansuetude is a long, at times bruising journey, but it’s one well worth taking (as long as you’re ready to be roughed up a bit).
Tell me another Rock band that sounds like Buñuel. Perhaps they’re out there, but I haven’t heard them. In any case, maybe one Buñuel is enough. Let’s thank the heavens (or wherever else) for this one.
Buy the album here:
https://bunuel.bandcamp.com/album/mansuetude
9 / 10
TOM OSMAN
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