Los De Abajo LDA vs The Lunatics

• Words: Derek Beres
• Label: Real World
• XLR8R Rating: /10

In order to secure a moniker for their inventive ska/Cumbia/reggae/punk aesthetic, Mexico City-based Los De Abajo coined the term "Tropipunk." On their fourth full-length, they‘ve now mastered the style they created. This eight-piece outfit is able to swerve effortlessly between guitar-and trombone-driven ska to gorgeous acoustic and keyboard-tinged electronic music. The beautiful "Resistencia," a head-nod to their continual social awareness (the track features a Zapatista leader), is worlds apart from the London-meets-Jamaica cumbia cover of Fun Boy Three‘s "The Lunatics (Have Taken Over the Asylum)." This is the world LDA inhabits, and it makes perfect sense.