Luis R. Conriquez - Muchacho Alegre Review

 Luis R. Conriquez released "Cheerful Young Man" on July 10th and if you didnt know you liked Mexican music now you know. Hailing from Caborca and quitting his gas station job in 2018, his collaboration with La Adictiva and Peso Pluma got him a shot at the big game. This album cements that shot in my opinion. So many awesome sounds on this album. Guitars, trumpets, charchetas and mad features with Netón Vega, Peso Pluma, Óscar Maydon, Joel de la P, Tito Double P, Grupo Frontera, Fuerza Regida and Puerto Rican urban star Anuel AA. Jam packed with cultural richness and the sound he specializes in corridos bélicos which utilizes narcocorrido lyrical elements, earing him his nickname "El Rey de Corridos Bélicos". 

"Al Chile Pega" is the song I think should represent the album as a whole. The lyrics are very poignant and the wind instruments blend perfectly with the vocal echo effect and percussive stringed accompaniment. "Que Gacho” feat. Netón Vega is basically a whole new sound and departure from most of his music. Guitars blending with vocal harmony set to a story of heartbreak that ends the relationship and sees the person begin a new life with sex. Good stuff. 

So many fantastic tracks and features here, there's never a dull moment. I've included the lyric video of my favorite track, maybe eventually you can find a place to buy it. If it pops up I may drop it down here somewhere. Adios. 

Oliver Tree - Love You Madly Hate You Badly

 

The first half of this record is a conversation with a not so distant ex lover, but the second half seems to be a plea for ones sanity and self resilience. Lyrically I think Oliver Tree was finding sure footing for his own voice in this effort. The musical styling seemed to be more involved and thought out, as his vocal melody seemed to play and weave in and out of the instrumental EDM a little more. Definitely a male vocal pop stand out. "Superhero" is a stand out track on this outing, as well as "Joyride". Following his entire existing catalog I'd suggest this as his most complete thought, mostly dealing with what seems like a failed relationship. As an underrated artist on Atlantic/R&S he started his own imprint "Alien Boy" which I guess is now defunct due to his unfortunate demise in a helicopter accident in Recreio dos Bandeirantes. This album did garner lots of attention because of his performances at key festivals and an ep of a Radiohead cover. One of their best singles in my opinion. If you have time you should check that out also.

Be aware this alum is for mature audiences and does reflect mentally ill thoughts and phrases with an emotional background in toxic relationships. It is a great album, though. I hope one day we will get a physical copy, until then you can buy digital and listen the same way.