I came across Querida Margot earlier this year and really enjoyed their debut album ‘’Atentamente’ from 2023. Their sophomore release has been gradually coming together over the course of 2025 with several early singles showcasing a band whose style has continued to evolve and stretch into new areas. Some readers may remember the band from my review of the latest album by Flaco Rodriguez earlier in the year. There seems to be a vibrant rock scene in Spain, which I have begun to explore.
Opening the album with the first single, which seemed to be released many months ago now, ‘Todo al Rojo’ serves a catchy chorus with a rock n roll beat. If you don’t know Spanish, you will begin to learn some with this album. There is some nice guitar work mixed into the song as well. ‘Viviendo Gratis’ channels some Rolling Stones and early rock n roll influences into another singalong. The Chuck Berry-style riff is extremely contagious. Slow burner ‘Poco’ is one of my early favourites from the album. There is plenty of space in the song, with the guitar notes getting highlighted in the mix. While there are still hints of the Stones, I hear some more modern rock influences here as well. The subtle use of the piano adds an excellent touch to the song.
‘Con el Alma Desnuda’ is a slow, bluesy song which slowly struts out of the speakers and creates its own vibe. As the song builds, it could be a less aggressive version of something by the Jim Jones All Stars. My favourite parts of the song are where the electric guitar cuts through everything else to give the song some extra punch. Wrapping up the first half of the album, the title track serves as another epic song at 5 minutes with a steady build into a catchy chorus. There are what sounds like some slide guitar mixed in as well to add flavour to the song. There are some excellent touches added with the drums too, to give the song some dynamics.
Turning up the tempo, the band launches into ‘De Nuevo’ to kickstart the second half of the album. After the twists of the past few songs, this one returns to the straight-up rock pop style with a catchy hook and a beat to get the body moving. The spoken word part near the end is a nice twist to lead into the final choruses. When ‘Siete’ was released as a single, my first thought was that the band was covering ‘Honky Tonk Women’ by the Stones. The chorus feels different, but those verses are definitely channelled from that well. Big ballad ‘Berlin’ builds beautifully over the course of its 4 minutes.
Approaching the end of the album, Cuarenta Grados’ features some great piano touches and feels a bit like glam era Bowie. The mix on the album really allows the guitars to pop out when needed, with this song being a great example. The guitar licks help create a hook for a chorus that feels bigger every time I hear the song. Closer ‘Mundo Raro’ feels like something we would hear playing as we walk down the streets in a busy Spanish town. The gentle acoustic guitar and vocals combine to deliver a softer but powerful moment.
‘Deuce’ provides a very enjoyable listen and showcases a band building off their debut album. I recommend giving it a listen if you are looking for a rock album with a hint of pop touches. Their third album will definitely be of interest to see which direction the band goes as they continue to grow.
‘Deuce’ is available now.
Author: Gerald Stansbury
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