Kinky’s fourth album, Barracuda, arrives on the scene at just the right time. While these five guys hailing from Monterrey, Mexico are no strangers to fame or popularity on an international level, their resonance in the American mainstream culture’s consciousness is long overdue. With all the popularity of European artists in recent years, hipster-driven or otherwise, maybe the U.S. is finally ready to embrace music that’s (gasp!) not sung in English. Many may have caught their high-energy live show at last year’s Coachella, or seen them touring with The Flaming Lips, De La Soul, and Shakira, among others: with this latest effort, Kinky takes the energy and power of their live shows and effortlessly translates it into a confident, mature, and (most importantly) fun album. The electronic rockers seamlessly integrate Mexican bass, funk, synths, punk and Latin dance grooves, best exemplified in their opening track, ‘Hasta Quemarnos.’ Singing in English on ‘Those Girls,’ lead vocalist Gilberto Cerezo showcases his cheeky lyrics, and shows a more sensual side on the undeniably slinky, sexy, lounge-ready track that incorporates rough guitar riffs. Barracuda marks the first time that the Kinky boys have teamed up with an outside producer, choosing to team up with Money Mark, known for his work with the Beastie Boys. Whether it’s Mark’s influence, or Kinky’s own growth over the years (or maybe both), this album has universal appeal and its party-ready, rich sound is one that would be a shame to pass up.

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