This week I listened to Cuco's "Fantasy Gateway"
⭐️⭐️⭐️(3 out of 5 stars)
I do have to preface this review with the fact that I only have a very elementary level of Spanish, and this album is (significantly partially) in Spanish. I did bother to look up the lyrics and understand what he's talking about, but I definitely don't understand a lot of the nuance.
I did like this album a lot, I always love it when an album tells a very specific story, I think is is a lot of fun and a great use of writing. You could write a book or you could write an album and I just think that's so neat.
Opinion time! (as always, not opinion order, just album order)
"Paraphonic" This whole album is very dreamy, which makes sense given the topic and the whole idea of the album. This song is full of great reverb and layers that melt together beautifully. I love the chorus so much, it is very catchy and the melody is so interesting compared to the pretty basic chords and bass. I love the way that the 2nd verse contests the first. And augh, the bridge is so cool. I love how it is just a little different from the main melody. I also greatly appreciate that it goes straight into the next song (Artificially Intelligence) making the two feel like one long song.
"When The Day Come To An End" I love how the drums open the song and then drop out for the first chorus. It is a really interesting way to start a song and I feel like not enough bands utilize it. The whole chorus is really catchy and full of delicious vocal layering. I also love how the bridge uses "Feeling...seeing...doing...moving" and then contrasting "Feel it... see it... lose it" I think is it neat lyricism.
"Sitting In The Corner (feat. Kacey Musgraves)" I really like this collaboration. Their voices work so well together. Adriel Favela is also on this track adding another voice. I just love how this song proudly and effortlessly goes between styles. Even if me understanding rap in Spanish is far beyond my skill set, It sounds really cool and is catchy, and having so many people on this song is really cool to see. I love the little bits of Mexican influence throughout, especially with the instrumentation of the slower sections and much more obviously the grito yelling.
Honorable mentions!! 🥳🥳🥳
"Aura" I found myself singing along with a lot. It is super catchy and even if it doesn't have a lot to do with the plot of this album, it is a grat vibe and I think it is still representative.
"Foolish" I love the bass on this song. I want to put it in my mouth. I also just like the idea of having a name "stuck to [your] heart" I love how the instrumentals pull in the guitar.
