Juana Molina – Segundo (Crammed Discs)

The music of Argentina’s Juana Molina has grown progressively more daring over the last two decades, but as this lovely reissue of her sophomore album shows, she’s been on the same path all along. The entrancing Segundo (2000) is a shape-shifting, gently psychedelic gem with the consistency of smoke rings, blending soft, twisty melodies, murmuring voices en Español and bubbling keyboards and guitar to create seductive thrills. Offering a haunting glimpse of a fluid alternate reality that’s both inviting and a little scary, Molina is a genial, albeit mysterious, shaman who can turn a listener’s head inside out. The extensive liner notes include comments from longtime supporter David Byrne, for those who place stock in such things.