Release Date: November 13, 2025
Label: Independent
The Desert Undertones are back with their second full-length release, En Regalia.
“En regalia” refers to being adorned or dressed in elaborate or formal attire, often associated with ceremonial or royal contexts. The cover art vividly captures this concept, reinforcing the album’s theme and adding visual depth to its musical expression.
“Deadeye” kicks things off in a very retro-sounding way with pounding drums and bass. The rapid riffing and bottom-end rhythms serve the lead guitar well! The energy is excellent for leading off track.
“Taos Lightning” features tasteful lead guitar runs as the bass continues to build strength, and the drums are equal to the task. The rhythms are extraordinary, as the guitar lines weave through those layers, all under three minutes.
“Todos Santos” is a small coastal town in the foothills of Mexico’s Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, on the Pacific coast side of the Baja California Peninsula. So, as you may expect, the sounds are very surf instro, with a solid rhythm guitar and leads that pinpoint-accurately enunciate the word “Surf” in every way, without uttering a single word.
“Long March 7” is one of my favorites so far. The bass and drums evoke subtle locomotives (if you can picture that), creating a rhythmic foundation that complements the lead guitar’s resonant notes. The track’s warm tones and vibrant colors evoke a deep connection to surf instro, making it a standout that genuinely captures the genre’s essence.
“Shorebreak” gets more tasteful with the tempo kicked down a few notches. It reminded me of the tracks on their first full-length, The Sentinel. The music is like the glimmer and shimmer of the sun off the ocean waves, perfect and pure excellence.
“En Regalia” is your title track, immediately signaling its importance, and it does not disappoint. Opening with rapid drumbeats and cymbals, the guitar adopts a distinct Spanish influence, reminiscent of the excitement of a bullfight. The emotion and vibrant colors of the costumes come to life on the cover art, creating a lively instrumental dance. As the album’s centerpiece, it sets a high bar that’s hard to surpass.
A “Neap Tide” is a type of tide that occurs when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are at right angles to each other, resulting in the smallest difference between high and low tides. This typically happens during the first and third quarters of the Moon.
Here, they switch from the high energy of the previous track to a slower, methodical tempo. Tasty leads, superb rhythm guitar, and a finite rhythm section make this another musical exercise in instrumental rock excellence.
“Algeciras” comes from the Arabic name “Al-Jazīrah al-Khaḍrāʾ,” which means "The Green Island,” referring to the nearby Isla Verde. The name reflects the city’s historical roots and its significance during the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Also notable is Dylan Oldham’s nod to his favorite guitar player, Paco de Lucia!
Continuing with the softer approach, the drums are featured briefly as the guitar maintains its dominance. I like the fact that the production of this music allowed the other instruments to be heard clearly.
“Juana Maria,” better known to history as the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, was a Native Californian woman who was the last surviving member of her tribe, the Nicoleño.
The track has a distinct Spanish influence in its sound and colors, with fast drums and bass as the bottom end, fired off by the guitars, answered by some fine lines that accentuate all those tribal beats that have been driving it along—a perfect ending to a perfect album.
With En Regalia, the Desert Undertones music has matured and become more diverse. Their ability to rock, tone it down, and be tasteful is authentic to their sound and to whom they have become with a sophomore effort that will resonate with all surf instrumental rock fans.
Credits: Guitar: Dylan Oldham, Bass: Christopher Marshall, Drums and all Recording work: Curt Pleiss
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder
November 26, 2025
Tracks:
1. Deadeye 02:32
2. Taos Lightning 02:44
3. Todos Santos 02:10
4. Long March 7 02:48
5. Shorebreak 02:26
6. En Regalia 03:56
7. Neap Tide 02:52
8. Algeciras 03:02
9. Juana Maria 03:12
