Lonely Citizen. Indian Askin

Indian Askin is no stranger to this blog. Recently the singles released to announce Lonely Citizen found their way and here's the album itself. During the pandemic the band Indian Askin fell apart, the project, luckily did not. Nelson ‘Chino’ Ayala releases his third album under the name Indian Askin.

Fans will not be disappointed. The typical alternative rock that is the trademark of the band is present in abundance on Lonely Citizen. Things start with the typical voice of Ayala. Like he took only the smallest hit of helium. It gives Indian Askin a part of its own identity and sound. The music adds to the sound. The mix of voice, experiment, psychedelia and rock creates a mix that can be called unique for this band.

Within this context a totally pop oriented song is possible like single 'Electric' and a song that drives on weird sounds and less easy sounding chords like 'Levitate'. Indian Askin excels in both. Where with 'Electric' the band presents a song that everyone ought to be able to relate to and even sing along with. A lot of people will have an issue with 'Levitate'. Of course, I agree that the former song is extremely pleasant, the contrast with the latter may be huge but it makes me work harder with a fully positive outcome. It makes Lonely Citizen a stronger and more interesting album.

The next song, 'I Like Boys', combines all three typical Indian Askin elements. Although I am not a Prince connoisseur, the song does present me a Prince like vibe. There's a funky element and a pop element that makes the song extremely pleasing.

Overseeing the whole album and the previous output, it is clear that without the band Ayala has allowed other accents to enter his work. Although it is impossible for me to know what Lonely Citizen would have sounded like in the old context, what I'm hearing today gives the impression that Nelson Ayala is freed from constraints. The sound and songs are more varied and different. Songs like 'Houdini' and 'Gloomy' are less band songs than Ayala solo songs with some accompaniment. At the same time a lot may be happening. Just listen to the second half of 'Gloomy' and noticed how varied and different the song sounds.

Being a musician in the first quarter of the 21st century is not easy. If any message stuck from his his duo acoustic show on Record Store Day, it was that. This country will never have a Golden Earring(s) again, as all bands will have dropped out of the game long before it can even get close to the status, let alone longevity. It is all the more admirable that Indian Askin is still here, showing the quality it is capable of. My promise: I will buy the album very soon and keep my Indian Askin collection complete.

One question remains. How does the band sound live in 2023? I hope to find out very soon.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Lonely Citizen here:

https://indianaskin.bandcamp.com/album/lonely-citizen