Casa de Cima [LP]

Named after the villa in Portugal's Sintra Mountains where it was recorded, Casa de Cima is the third album by Pega Monstro, the duo of sisters Júlia and Maria Reis. It follows an impressive label debut, 2015's Alfarroba, an album with an infectious energy that only buoyed their winning balance of hooks and noise. Here, they take a step in a more patient, reflective direction on an album that has a simmering energy of its own as well as a songwriting panache that should help it stand out from the reverb-heavy crowd. "Cachupa," for instance, plays with tempo, form, time signatures, and elegant vocal harmonies all while coming off far more like a summery garage punk tune -- albeit a nostalgic one immersed in extended chords -- than anything particularly experimental. The simpler "Fado da Estrela do Ouro," with its arpeggiated guitar and haunting dual vocals, plays like a timeless lullaby. There are punkier, noisier moments, too, like in "Pouca Terra," which develops into a whirl of thrashing drums and jet engine-like effects, and "Partir a Loiça," which translates to "break all the dishes," a Portuguese expression meaning to shake things up. The grungy, low-end rumble of guitar is gone, but what remains is worthwhile, including an elusive quality of coolness that ultimately still sets the duo apart. ~ Marcy Donelson