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Juana Molina - Un Dia
The central theme of 'Un Dia' seems to be one of reflection. From the cover artwork, through the track-listing stylistics within the sleeve and onto the music itself, 'Un Dia' looks to hold a mirror up to the creative muse of Juana Molina and prompt a powerful new musical direction.
Where once Molina would be pigeon-holed as a 'world music' artist, now her reach is broader and she seems intent on bridging the rather ominous gap between world and pop music. 'Un Dia' is her first real foray on this journey and it's a brave and engaging first step. It's also one that reaps mixed results.
Juana Molina's attraction has always been the humanity that she manages to bring to the forefront of her work. Amidst the hypnotic rhythms and brushed electronica sits that magical voice; a primal coo that pulls you into her music and wraps you up nice'n'snug. On 'Un Dia' this voice has strangely been pushed to one side, making only fleeting and disjointed appearances across the breadth of the album. Instead focus seems to be on creating a more abstract instrumental sound and it is here that the adventure comes ever so slightly unstuck.
Where before Molina's vocals held everything together like a fine glue, without it you're left with a lovely - but rather uninspiring - chunk of experimental ambience. It's almost like the beating heart has been silenced in her music. Such feelings become even more noticeable when her vocals are returned to the mix. 'Vive Solo' for example moves from being a directionless slice of new age trance to this blissful and inspiring work of art simply through the addition of her vocal warmth. Such instances are also when 'Un Dia' moves most purposefully into the realm of pop music.
Despite these criticisms Molina has still assembled a delightful album. Melodic, restless and in parts magical, 'Un Dia' will sit proudly in her impressive canon of work. You just feel that it could have been so much more if she'd have played her winning hand more regularly.
Stephen Jasper
www.juanamolina.com
Where once Molina would be pigeon-holed as a 'world music' artist, now her reach is broader and she seems intent on bridging the rather ominous gap between world and pop music. 'Un Dia' is her first real foray on this journey and it's a brave and engaging first step. It's also one that reaps mixed results.
Juana Molina's attraction has always been the humanity that she manages to bring to the forefront of her work. Amidst the hypnotic rhythms and brushed electronica sits that magical voice; a primal coo that pulls you into her music and wraps you up nice'n'snug. On 'Un Dia' this voice has strangely been pushed to one side, making only fleeting and disjointed appearances across the breadth of the album. Instead focus seems to be on creating a more abstract instrumental sound and it is here that the adventure comes ever so slightly unstuck.
Where before Molina's vocals held everything together like a fine glue, without it you're left with a lovely - but rather uninspiring - chunk of experimental ambience. It's almost like the beating heart has been silenced in her music. Such feelings become even more noticeable when her vocals are returned to the mix. 'Vive Solo' for example moves from being a directionless slice of new age trance to this blissful and inspiring work of art simply through the addition of her vocal warmth. Such instances are also when 'Un Dia' moves most purposefully into the realm of pop music.
Despite these criticisms Molina has still assembled a delightful album. Melodic, restless and in parts magical, 'Un Dia' will sit proudly in her impressive canon of work. You just feel that it could have been so much more if she'd have played her winning hand more regularly.
Stephen Jasper
www.juanamolina.com
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