Delorean - Mikel Laboa (2017)

Delorean is an alternative dance band from Barcelona, Spain, whose style is a mix of indie pop and electronic dance music, Balearic house in particular. Founded in 2000 in Zarautz, Guipúzcoa, Basque Country, and based in Barcelona, the band comprises Ekhi Lopetegi (vocals, bass), Guillermo Astrain (guitar), Unai Lazcano (keyboards), and Igor Escudeo (drums). Delorean made their commercial recording debut in 2004 with an eponymous full-length effort on the label's B-Core Disc in Spain and Defiance Records in Germany, followed by the Metropolitan Death EP (2005) and the second full-length effort Into the Plateau (2006) on the same labels. It was at this point in time that Delorean relocated from Basque Country to Barcelona, and henceforth the city's massive techno scene was a significant influence on the band's musical style. Also around this time, founding guitarist Tomas Palomo was replaced by Astrain. In the meantime, the band began making waves with its remix work, beginning in 2008 with the Teenagers' "Love No" on XL Recordings.

Delorean first became international indie darlings in 2009 with the release of the Ayrton Senna EP on the labels Mushroom Pillow in Spain and Fool House in France. The EP was critically acclaimed, most notably being crowned Best New Music by the taste-making American website Pitchfork. Delorean's profile grew quickly in the wake of Ayrton Senna, as they were commissioned to remix singles by Franz Ferdinand ("Live Alone") and the xx ("Islands"), and were invited to tour with Swedish indie groups jj and Miike Snow. The band released its third album, Subiza, in 2010 on Mushroom Pillow in Spain and True Panther Sounds in the United States. It was likewise critically acclaimed, once again crowned Best New Music by Pitchfork. After a three-year break, the group returned with Apar, which featured guest vocals from Chairlift's Caroline Polachek.

Soon after the album's release, and at the start of their tour, Delorean found themselves in the headlines when they were kidnapped in their Mexican hotel and held for ransom. They were rescued by police after a harrowing 30-hour ordeal. After a short break, their tour resumed. Once finished, the band took a break to write songs for the next album. Released on their own Phlex label in June of 2016, Muzik featured production by Pional and discarded any remaining indie rock trappings in favor of a slick, house-influenced sound. ~ Jason Birchmeier.