GIZMO VARILLAS
OUT OF THE DARKNESS
MUISICA RECORDS
★★★★
On his third LP, London-based Spaniard Varillas fleshes out his winning multicultural sound, which has earned comparisons with Paul Simon and Manu Chao. The late Tony Allen contributes to Saving Grace’s rough and tumble, while synths lift Born Again, a chirpy pop tune combining reggae and funk, and Burning Bridges, a protest song camouflages its frustration with tropical cheer. Strings, too, decorate the sweet Writing’s On The Wall, but optimism remains Varillas’ defining characteristic, whether on Keep On Shining or warm confessional Cold.