Cariño

Cariño is a pivotal trio in the contemporary Spanish 'New Wave' of indie pop, formed in Madrid in 2017. Comprised of Paola Rivero, Alicia Ros, and María Talaverano, the band revitalized the 'tontipop' subgenre - a term historically used to describe simple, catchy, and somewhat naive pop.

They successfully bridged the gap between the twee-pop of the late 90s (Juniper Moon, Los Fresones Rebeldes) and the modern hyper-connected aesthetic of Gen Z. Their sound identity is defined by the contrast between sugary vocal unisons and fuzzy, punk-adjacent guitar work. Critically, they are lauded for their ability to document the digital-native experience, using lyrics that reference social media and modern dating culture. They occupy a central role in the Madrid scene, influencing a surge of female-led guitar bands like Ginebras and Aiko el grupo. Their evolution from the lo-fi 'Movidas' to the more sophisticated production of their 2022 self-titled LP shows a band refining their pop craft without sacrificing their essential 'stop-bajona' (anti-slump) energy.