Carlos Berlanga’s Impermeable is polished Spanish pop with a slightly bruised heart. The songs move between soft guitar and bass, synths, piano, real strings and horns, giving the album a warmer, more acoustic feel than his earlier electronic records. “Por Desgracia No”, “Estrellas Y Planetas” and “Vacaciones” put their bittersweet stories over danceable beats, while “Estados” slows down into something more resigned. The melodies are clean and immediate, but the lyrics keep turning toward abandonment, sex and disappointment with a dry, knowing humour. “A Cannes”, adapted from Françoise Hardy, and Jobim’s “Wave” broaden the palette without disrupting it.
Berlanga had already helped shape Spanish pop through Kaka de Luxe, Alaska y los Pegamoides and Alaska y Dinarama before building his solo catalogue. Released by Elefant Records in 2001, this fourth and final studio album was produced by Ibon Errazkin, with synths and piano from Antonio Galvañ, backing vocals from Alaska and Mikel, and mixing by Errazkin and Ian Catt. It’s a strong fit for anyone drawn to Pet Shop Boys or Momus, but who wants Spanish lyrics, strings and a little more old-school songcraft. “Vacaciones” is the obvious entry point, all disco motion and sly provocation, though the quieter tracks linger longer.
