TITLE: E.L.S.
LABEL: Nat Geo Music
REVIEW: Rene Lopez is a New York born-and-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; this is his third solo album. Lopez’s father was a stalwart of the 1970’s salsa scene, Rene fronted the rock band The Authority in the 90’s, he continues to be in demand as a drummer, and he cites Prince as the artist who has most influenced him. All these factors comes together on this wonderfully breezy album that combines old-fashioned boogaloo and soul, current hip hop and electronica, and the kind of pop music craftsmanship that harkens back to the Brill Building era. Lopez is a jack of all trades -- he plays a dozen different instruments here, wrote or co-wrote all the songs, and takes all the lead vocals. But his ace in the hole, as with his man Prince, is his ability to write catchy hooks (in a fair world, track 8 would be a multi-platinum hit single) and clever, off-the-wall lyrics (try 3 and 11). On track 2 he says “Took me 20 years to finally find my flow” (and he shows it off best on 10) -- these days it’s nearly impossible to become a 42-year-old overnight sensation, but E.L.S. may do so for Rene Lopez. Definitely one of the most fun albums of the year.
REVIEW: Rene Lopez is a New York born-and-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; this is his third solo album. Lopez’s father was a stalwart of the 1970’s salsa scene, Rene fronted the rock band The Authority in the 90’s, he continues to be in demand as a drummer, and he cites Prince as the artist who has most influenced him. All these factors comes together on this wonderfully breezy album that combines old-fashioned boogaloo and soul, current hip hop and electronica, and the kind of pop music craftsmanship that harkens back to the Brill Building era. Lopez is a jack of all trades -- he plays a dozen different instruments here, wrote or co-wrote all the songs, and takes all the lead vocals. But his ace in the hole, as with his man Prince, is his ability to write catchy hooks (in a fair world, track 8 would be a multi-platinum hit single) and clever, off-the-wall lyrics (try 3 and 11). On track 2 he says “Took me 20 years to finally find my flow” (and he shows it off best on 10) -- these days it’s nearly impossible to become a 42-year-old overnight sensation, but E.L.S. may do so for Rene Lopez. Definitely one of the most fun albums of the year.
TOP TRACKS: 3 8 10 11
ALSO RECOMMENDED: 1 2 4 5 6 7 9
ALSO RECOMMENDED: 1 2 4 5 6 7 9
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