BUNBURY – ‘LA ULTIMA CURDA’

BY JANIN AYALA FELIX | AUGUST 23, 2024 | SPANISH ROCK | TRACKS

Enrique Bunbury’s take on “La Última Curda,” released this August as a precursor to his upcoming box set celebrating the 20th anniversary of El viaje a ninguna parte, is nothing short of a haunting tribute to the heart-wrenching world of tango. Originally penned in 1956 by Cátulo Castillo with music by Aníbal Troilo, “La Última Curda” (translated as “The Last Bender”) is a song that dives deep into the existential despair and raw vulnerability that define the genre. It’s no surprise that Bunbury, known for his dark, introspective explorations of emotion, would gravitate towards this classic.

Tango is a genre built on pain, melancholy, and the kind of brutal honesty that few artists can convincingly pull off. But Bunbury, the former frontman of Héroes del Silencio, thrives on this emotional intensity. His voice, rugged and weathered by years of pushing musical boundaries, wraps itself around the mournful lyrics with a sincerity that feels earned. As he sings, “Lástima, bandoneón, mi corazón…” you can almost hear the echo of Buenos Aires streets and dimly lit bars filled with heartache and regret.

The cover is stripped down but powerful, with Bunbury’s vocals placed front and center. There’s no need for the elaborate production here—just the aching strain of his voice against the backdrop of the bandoneón, the quintessential instrument of tango, which wails like a lost soul searching for solace at the bottom of a glass. The music’s simplicity allows the weight of the lyrics to land with full force, particularly in the chorus where Bunbury sings, “Contáme tu condena, decime tu fracaso…” It’s a moment of deep confession, both in the song and perhaps in Bunbury’s own career, as he revisits his past two decades as a solo artist.

This isn’t Bunbury’s first foray into covering classics. Throughout his solo career, he’s taken inspiration from a variety of genres, from flamenco to ranchera, always managing to inject his signature gothic rock flair. But “La Última Curda” feels like a different beast. It’s not just an homage—it’s a song he’s lived. The anguish and frustration expressed in the lyrics mirror Bunbury’s own artistic journey, one marked by relentless reinvention and an unwavering dedication to emotional truth.

The release of this track also signals a thematic shift as Bunbury heads towards his November box set. El viaje a ninguna parte, his 2004 solo album, was a pivotal moment in his career, marking his break from the alt-rock sound of Héroes del Silencio. This upcoming release is not just a celebration of that legacy but a reflection on the places that journey has taken him. Including a tango classic like “La Última Curda” is a way of grounding that reflection in something timeless, anchoring his own evolution in the deep well of human emotion that tango so beautifully encapsulates.

For long-time fans of Bunbury, this cover will resonate deeply as a continuation of his commitment to genre-bending artistry. For newcomers, “La Última Curda” offers a raw, emotional introduction to an artist who refuses to be boxed in. Either way, Bunbury’s interpretation of this tango classic serves as a reminder that no matter how far he’s traveled musically, he’s always been chasing the same thing: the truth buried in the pain.

In the end, “La Última Curda” isn’t just a cover—it’s a testament to Bunbury’s enduring ability to capture the essence of the human experience. It’s about the last drink, the last chance to feel something real before the curtain falls on the heart.

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