Daiana Feuer on May 26th, 2017

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Since 2007, Dorian Wood has carved himself a special place in the Los Angeles music scene, writing and performing songs that cut to the quick and challenge listeners/watchers to address the darkest weaknesses of their humanity. While ferocious on stage, Wood is an incredibly sweet guy. His art balances vulnerability with confrontation, and his voice, well, it leaves a mark. Today he celebrates the release of his first all Spanish-language album, XALÁ (pronounced “ha-LA”), recorded with bassist Xavi Muñoz (Laetitia Sadier) and percussionist Marcos Junquera (Daniel Johnston) in Vila-Real, Spain, being released by Spain-based label Atonal Industries. His piano, as heard below, takes center stage with his voice on these tracks, almost like a struggle represented by these two forces tackling each other, while the rhythm section elaborates on the mood. It’s a foreboding but cathartic experience.

||| Stream: “Circulos”

||| Also: Watch “Corpulenxia”

||| Live: Dorian Wood performs tonight, May 26, at Civic Center Studios in DTLA, with San Cha y Las Sirenas and performance artist Sebastian Hernandez. Tickets