KUBIKA is a Madrid-centered, female-led alternative metal band. The crew has only been around since 2024, and their brand-new LP, "Disorders," is set to release mid-February. KUBIKA's fanbase seems to be growing rapidly, garnering fans from Mexico City to Prague who listen to their music. The band wouldn't be a band without the center of it all, the electrifying vocalist Beka. Modern metal always seems to have room for female vocalists, so I hope "Disorders" sounds different - or it'll get bunched in with the rest.

There have been so many singles released for this album, so for cleanliness, I'm just going in regular track order, starting with "Blue Smile." Heavy utilization of synths and electric elements starts early, and the barrage starts soon after. Beka's vocals are shouted but also sung, giving an unexpected edge to the song. The riffs are dynamic and groovy, even when there's cleaner singing. The riffs get chuggy, too. I should say that all guitar work is typical but executed well. A key change ends the song. A solid track altogether, and I want to hear more of Beka's harsh vocals. "Fight or Flight" is melodic, yet djenty. The vocals are a bit whiny at times, but the false chords are proven to still be strong. Another guitar solo over galloping drums, and the track ends about the same as the last. Hopefully, KUBIKA didn't lock themselves in a box for this album. "Personality Disorder" takes things a bit slower. With some good headphones, the riffs drift from ear to ear, creating an interesting listening experience. Yet again, another soaring solo and a ~four-minute run time end the track. "To The Void" plays around with some odd-sounding time signatures and different structures for the vocal delivery. I can hear some death metal-like drumming techniques throughout, which is interesting. Well, I'm four songs in, and I feel like I've only listened to one long song.

"Breathless" opens with a bunch of overlapping guitars that create a tense atmosphere. The melodious chorus houses more high-pitched, clean singing that sounds... sleazy? I don't know why "sleazy" was the first word that popped in my head, but for alternative metal, that's not necessarily a bad thing. The track itself is plenty bouncy and fun. "Outbreak" explores blast-beats, punchy singing, and more technical solos. The vocals are starting to grow on me a lot, too. The song could've ended earlier, as the last fifteen seconds just sound like two guitars having a last-riff competition. "Dark Passenger" houses some slow segments that sound quite eerie, but they always jump right back into the fray of alternative metal. The final track, "Dementia," would act as the perfect song to go all-out on, but KUBIKA sticks to what they've done before.

No doubt KUBIKA is a punchy, alt-metal band. Their riffs are dynamic, their attitude is apparent, and their image is clear. While each song on its own is strong, they start to lose identity when grouped together for a full-length album. I have no gripes about the instrumentation besides the lack of audible bass. The drumming is versatile, and the guitars are sharply produced. The vocals are a bit of an issue for me - Beka's harsh singing is great, and I'd wish she'd stick with it permanently. Her cleans simply sound like Britney Spears from time to time, and I can't in good conscience make it work. "Disorders" is fun, but the album will have trouble distinguishing itself in a sea of modern, female-run metal.