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. 

Habak:

 

If you've never heard the term "Crust Melodico" you're probably behind in the times, and not alone. With a DIY ethos and a vibrant sound, this band "Habak" from Tijuana Mexico is for you. Although a language barrier may exist between listeners and lyrics, we as a world should start overcoming that, these days. From a crust (sub-genre of punk) sound with heavy melody, to some clean instrumentation this band is to be taken very seriously. A very mature, even grave lyric subject may be intense for some listeners, I do urge anyone to give it a try (internet translation is easy to find today) because you never know what your missing. 

The title track to this record is very good, and very resounding. Time enough to feel how you feel these days, enough said. I have to say the subject matter of "Condenadx Al Olvido" makes that track my favorite. From rhythm to melody, after the mesmerizing intro. But, I'll let you be the judge:

Condenadx Al Olvido

I see in my hands the passage of time—the marks left by the immortal monster.

Written upon my path is my destiny: to bear witness to humanity.

Time and space conspire against a being condemned to solitude.

We are tellers of a thousand tales—stories that time will soon erase; only man truly knows man, yet at the end of his era, not even he will remain.

Time and space conspire against a being condemned to solitude.

We are nothing...

Only man truly knows man. A being condemned to solitude.