How to describe the music in Café Tacuba’s new album? “Exquisite” is probably the closest word. The blending of acoustic instruments with electronic rhythmic basses, along with synthesizer sounds and “old school” drums, create a kind of magic around many of its songs.

Rubén Albarrán, who, as usual, has changed his name again, this time to Ixxi Xoo, (he has changed his name more often than Prince!) showcases his voice with just enough balance of soft and rough vocals between songs.

The first single “Volver a Empezar” isn’t even the best track in the album. Honestly, almost every track here could have been used to promote the album.

Is it experimental? Without a doubt! Have you ever heard a drum solo in a studio album? Well, I hadn’t either, at least until I heard “Gracias,” the album’s last track.

Sino is a pretty relaxed album with soft, well-crafted melodies and simple choruses that at times are reminiscent of the sounds from ’70s bands. In “Seguir Siendo” Ixxi Xoo sings “Yo nunca fui un ganador (I was never a winner),” but as I see it, nothing is farther from the truth.