IDEAL

After more than a decade leading Spain’s premier mod‑beat outfit Los Flechazos—six LPs, dozens of TV appearances and tours from Italy to Japan—Alejandro Díez reinvented himself in 2000 as Cooper, a solo vehicle for his boundless pop songwriting. Freed from the Hammond‑organ–driven constraints of his former band, he immediately assembled top‑flight players (Carlos Torero, Mc Cartney, Mario Álvarez) and cut Fonorama, a debut LP recorded at Madrid’s Rock Soul Studios that showcased tougher guitars, string arrangements on “Es tarde” and even sampler textures on “El Rascacielos.” Promoted by a three‑month national tour and the “Vértigo”/“Rascacielos” single (plus two new B‑sides and a stylish video by Les Nouveaux Auteurs), Cooper quickly proved that Alejandro’s unique vocal style and melodic gift were undiminished—and perhaps amplified—outside a traditional band setting. In 2003–04, he embraced the “small‑pills” approach, issuing a string of acclaimed singles (“747,” “Cerca del sol”/“Oxidado”) and gifting fans exclusive live‑session CDs with ticket stubs. Highlights included a live set at Benicàssim’s free Plaza de Callao show for Radio 3’s 25th anniversary and festival slots at ContemPOPranea, FIB and Lemon Pop. Crowning this prolific period was Retrovisor (2004), a collage‑style retrospective album compiling rare singles, three new tracks and accompanying video footage, issued in a limited white‑vinyl edition. Across recordings, tours and television sessions, Cooper has proven himself one of Spain’s most inventive torchbearers of timeless pop.