Almas Mudas surfaced among Spain’s most promising young indie acts thanks to a style that channeled the early Strokes’ cocky youthfulness and a sonic palette shaped by ’90s Brit-pop. In 2005 the Zaragoza-based lineup—frontman Miguel Rived, guitarists Simon Franco and Alberto Solobera, bassist David Idiope, and drummer Pedro Presa—began playing local venues and ultimately advanced to the final of the city’s yearly Popyrock competition. Their visibility grew after placements on the television series Un Golpe de Suerte and Doctor Mateo; the band then signed with Warner Bros and enlisted Kim Fanlo of Nena Daconte to produce their first full-length record. Issued in 2011 under the title Pura Velocidad, the album included the singles “Big Bang” and “Estilo Bowie” along with a guest appearance by Heroes del Silencio guitarist Juan Valdivia.
