’10s Spanish Alternative Essentials

The Spanish alternative scene challenged pop norms in the ’10s. From Barcelona to Seville, singer-songwriters and producers churned out inventive, ear-catching work that transcended regional borders. Catalan siren ROSALÍA morphed into a global superstar with forward-looking visions of flamenco, just as Granada’s Los Planetas enveloped us in comforting ripples of shoegaze and indie rock. In luscious lament “Mala Mujer”, rapper C. Tangana contrasts hushed, melancholy vocals with bubbling reggaetón. It sits next to Marlango’s “Puede”, a toe-tapping, horn-infused cocktail of pop and vintage jazz.