Balún: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Watch Balún play “Vaivén“, “La Nueva Ciudad“, “El Espanto“ and “Punto De Encuentro“ at the Tiny Desk. More from NPR Music: Tiny Desk Concerts: Twitter: Instagram: Dec. 20, 2019 | Felix Contreras -- It’s impossible to not be drawn in by the visual specter of Balún. The band has refined their electronic roots with their turn toward self-discovery on beautifully crafted studio albums, and this set behind the Tiny Desk shows how expertly they deliver the same meticulous, artful music live. Their mix of traditional instruments with electronics creates not just a sonic treat but also a visual feast, as our eyes dart from one instrument to the other, drawn in by a Puerto Rican cuatro and a makeshift drum set. But I didn’t expect to be greeted by a mysterious, eighth member who made an appearance at the start of “El Espanto“ in the form of programmed solenoids that struck the bottoms of pots and pans to create a rhythmic