Albums of the Week: November 3 – November 10
This week, I’ve got four albums for your listening pleasure. Three of them are new releases from the past week, covering the period from Monday to Monday. Instead of marking an anniversary of a classic album, we’re celebrating the life of Lo Borges, a founding member of the Clube de Esquina scene and an artist behind the album.
ROSALÍA, who had never quite captured my attention before, piqued my interest leading up to the release of her single "Berghain." What got me excited was the feature from Björk. The single turned out to be a standout track, with an orchestral arrangement that felt almost classical in its depth and richness. The strings in particular are stunning, with the sharp violin tones set against the dark timbre of the cellos and the driving classical percussion. It’s a beautifully composed and executed piece of music, and it’s one of the album’s main highlights.
The album continues with this orchestral approach, and while none of the tracks reach the grandeur of "Berghain," the quality remains consistent. The strings and other instruments are played and mastered impeccably throughout. ROSALÍA’s voice is undeniably captivating, and it brings a unique layer to the music. However, there’s something about her vocal performance that, in some ways, detracts from the emotional impact of the music—it feels almost inhuman at times, which, paradoxically, works against the emotional depth of the songs.
“Her voice is absolutely wonderful, but at times, the inhuman quality of the performance takes away from the emotional depth of the music.”
Overall, the album is a testament to ROSALÍA’s vocal ability and her penchant for innovative orchestration. While the album has its moments of brilliance, some of the emotional nuance is lost in the process of pushing musical boundaries.
Author’s Summary: ROSALÍA’s latest album impresses with its stunning orchestral arrangements and Björk’s guest feature, though at times the inhuman quality of the vocals detracts from the emotional impact.