Rosa Bordallo’s second solo album Isidro, which dropped on January 31^st of this year, begins with “Home”, where Bordallo reminisces about her childhood home of Guam while criticizing the American military presence there.  Lyrics like, “I heard from home today, it makes my heart so sad, The profit driven war games menacing our land” leave no doubt as to her feelings on how her culture and ancestors’ land has been decimated by the “tip of the spear” approach America has given to Guam, where military bases occupy over a third of the island.  The dichotomy between Bordallo’s soothing voice, shimmering guitars and the heavy lyrical content make it a strong opening statement.

Another stand-out track is “I Feel Numb”, a wave of sound that feels like the perfect ending to a long hallucinatory evening.  Self-conscious lines such as “I try to talk but I can’t get my shit together enough to say hello” add a layer of vulnerability to the lush orchestral projection.  “Buried Treasure” comes in like a UFO piloted by the Flaming Lips landing in a serene field as Bordallo croons “Last we spoke when we were teens, a mind to open every door”, reminiscing with an old friend and unknown treasures buried in the sand.   Thunderous drums open up and roll throughout “Silk Moth’s Revenge”, with an almost nursery rhyme-like melody sang over darkly tinged guitar and synth parts that weave their way through the track.