Sonido Gallo Negro isn’t a surf band but I’ve noticed that they’ve got a lot of surf fans. After months of drifting around on Spotify, their third LP has finally seen a proper release.

The second release from Viernes de Hongos brings in 6 songs full of mood and mystery. Their 2014 release was a bit more menacing, with a lot more fuzz, but this one has a bit more variety. "Agente Naranja" and "Numeros Rojos" are the boldest, but don't sleep on the creepy "Beso del Payaso". They've also got a cool cover of Rocket Man in "Popurusso".

So while I've highlighted Perro Agradecido Cumbia albums on this stie, I didn't pay much attention to the solo work of that band's guitarist Sys Malakian. Drifting With The Surf leaves the chicha influence behind and sticks with a pretty trad surf sound. There's a good amount of variety, though even on the faster tracks I never feel like it gets aggressive. Sort of a rainy-day bedroom surf.

One of the things I like about instrumental music is that you're free to craft your own narrative from the music. This is still the case with Los Surfer Compadres' new album, but they've given you a lot of thought pieces to help you along on their album art: surfing with swords, aliens, a cookout, a protest, a bird with a ring on its talon, an angry god...

As far as I can tell this is the first non-demo release from Mexico's La Venganza de San Carlos. It's some good ol' no-bullshit high-energy surf with a punk influence. It's there to make a racket and hopefully get you to spasm a bit. Sometimes that's all I really want from surf -- that was often the case in the 60's, and even though it sounds different today there's still some people out there making the same unassuming but fun stuff. Give it a listen, have some fun, it's a free download!

Well, sometimes my all-seeing surf eye doesn't see things when they come out. And I think I'd be remiss to not mention them anywhere on the site, so we're playing catch-up here.

If you've listened to my show enough you've probably figured out that I've got a thing for Peruvian chicha music, and the similarities to surf rock should be apparent enough that that wouldn't be surprising. I find it amusing that while there's some great surf in Peru, the bands that seem most faithful to the sound appear to be everywhere else.

Great lineup for a split EP, each band from a place where surf just won't quit. Los Galerna take the first half of the split at a fast pace. Their sound is pretty standout mix of distinct percussion, quick-pickin' guitar and honkin' sax. It's got great punch and really comes together! I'm a little more familiar with Mexico's The Cavernarios, and they definitely hold up their end. They start with a blistering fuzzy number, then move to a pretty one, and end with a sunny twister.

Whole thing is pay-what-you-want on bandcamp, absolutely worth a listen!

More from Mexico! LosHijosSurf play horror surf with moments of ska, metal, and occasional jammy moments. Give it a listenMore from Mexico! LosHijosSurf play horror surf with moments of ska, metal, and occasional jammy moments. Give it a listen

Surf is usually a very analog type of music, but Mexico's Los Jinetes Del Terror chose to ignore that. The entire record has an electric buzz (and fuzz) to it. They're not afraid to put their keyboards, drum machine or any digital effects front and center. But make no mistake, the guitars are loud, fuzzy and frantic as hell, and the end result is nicely balanced I think. It might need a bit for surf fans to adjust to, but sometimes those are the best records in the end.