The Brilliance of Andermay

I love Andermay. Especially when they keep to their dance routes. Ander (real name Jesus) writes some brilliant hooklines that stick to the head and have me bopping away when I really should be studying or sleeping. In short, they provide a sense of Europop that proffers the exuberant joy of the disco floor without ever treating their audience like idiots by always involving songs that explore human narratives. Their lyrics are always heartfelt even when the song itself is as bouncy as a trampoline. In this perhaps they recall early PWL and I love them for it.

Their first appearance was an attempt to represent Spain at Eurovision with the sweet track Desvío al paraíso. It didn't work at preselection but by then the group were noticed by Vale Music and signed. They were also the people behind David Bustamente's lovely single Mas De Mil Noches. Their first single Un Juego De Dos was one of my favourite releases to come out of 2003. Released way before Spain secured marriage rights for all, its video heavily featured lots of couples, both straight and gay, being themselves which was quite a politically charged promo for a debut record. And a welcome breath of fresh air considering many debut videos tend to be rather tame or boring.

Then Andermay released the stunning dance pop track Entre Tu Y Yo which was one my most played tracks on my Itunes since its release date right up to 2007. Incredibly catchy, but not in a cheesy way, Entre Tu Y Yo is adorable. It makes me go "awwww" every time my itunes shuffle lands on it. A bit like a "awww" when you hear a baby/todler giggle. Addictive pop at its finest. It also illustrates that Ander is one of Spains best pop writers of recent years. Indeed during this time, they not only appeared alongside Alex Ubago and Le Oreja De Van Gogh they also wrote the track Dime for Beth. The song would represent Spain in Riga at Eurovision and it did really well. So much so it has ended up being covered by no less that four other singers (from Russia, Spain, Finland, Israel). This is not the first time one of Anders' song was covered. Indeed in Italy, their debut song was covered by Elisa Smeriglio.

When Andermay left Vale Music, the music changed and for me this is when it went a bit odd. Synths were replaced by drums and guitars. And not in a good way. I didn't mind Punto Sin Returno. I loved the usage of strings and the dramatics of the record but it wasn't a patch on their first album. After ten years in the music industry, Andermay are about to release a new record which will probably be a mixture of the first and second album which pleases me muchly especially as it will be more pop than soft rock. Uh Oh Oh Oh!, their first song to come from the new album, included a throbbing Stuart Price-esq baseline. It was even given an English twist with a English mix released as a b-side. The track marked a return to form from the Spanish duo.


They've just put their hat into the ring to represent Spain in Russia at this years Eurovision. Personally, based on the music alone I think they are the one act that give Soraya a run for her money. Lo Que Prometiste (listen here) is a complete anthem of a song. Includes dance bits, guitar rifts and brilliant wave ya hands in the air sections. All its missing is a key change at the end of track. Still, its had some amazing remixes done to it and I can't wait to hear the album due for release year!

To vote for Andermay please go here (Soraya doesn't really need the votes!)
To check out Andermay's Myspace go here