Motel Essentials

Reliably energetic without trying to bowl you over and delectably melodic without causing cavities, Mexico City's Motel earwormed their way into their country's consciousness soon after forming in the early 2000s. Their easy but fluid groove and spacious swirl draw on the post-Police danceability practiced by Latin American predecessors such as Maná and Soda Stereo. Moody but open-hearted, they're the kind of alt-rockers who might open an album begging forgiveness and end it saying they're sorry—or alternately, close one bidding farewell to Los Angeles.