We first heard from Hando Aguilar in September upon the release of his album “Make It Up As You Go.” That record introduced readers of The Static Dive to a fiercely independent avant-garde singer, songwriter and producer from San Jose, California. Since his 2020 debut “I’ve Strayed,” the prolific musician has produced an astounding volume of work. In less than two years he has released 6 EPs, 8 albums and a handful of singles.
“Deja Vu EP and Other Songs” is the latest album from Hando Aguilar, released worldwide to all major streaming services on December 10, 2021. The 11-track record finds the artist pushing the envelope ever further on his already adventurous, multi-genre Lo-fi vibe. As Hando’s catalog has grown he has expanded his anti-Folk singer/songwriter sound into some of the more interesting corners of electronic music.
The album opens on the spoken-word poetry and experimental Industrial sounds of “Mr Mojitos.” The Indie Synth-Pop “The Megan Song” follows with a touching tribute to a friend. The record takes another stylistic U-turn on “Leave the Nest,” an angsty and defiant coming-of-age acoustic number. From there the album continues to weave its way through otherwise uncharted sonic territory.
From the Synthwave biblical mediations of “Idle Mouths” to “Last Song,” a touching Folk examination on the purpose of music, the album presents the singer’s philosophies on life and art in raw and unadulterated form. He explores experimental electronic Chance music on tracks like “Deja Vu Intro” and “Handoverse,” and more stream of consciousness poetry on the Ambient meditation “Walk to Panera.” The song “Gotta Sound Wrong ” is a real high point as Hando presents his view on musical originality over a cool Glitch beat.
It’s all been done. If you really want to have some fun, you should create something that sounds wrong.
Hando Aguilar – “Gotta Sound Wrong”
Check out “Deja Vu EP and Other Songs” below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. You can hear “Gotta Sound Wrong” on the Deep Indie Dive playlist and “Last Song” on Deep Indie Songwriters. Follow the links below to connect with Hando Aguilar. Get on his socials and dig deep into his rich catalog of music.