ELJURI
Reflexion
New York City, United States
Eljuri’s newest studio album, Reflexion is a Latin guitar powerhouse, mixing modern instrumentals and textures with classical compositions and beats, Eljuri has created a masterful blend of fresh new rock and classic easy-listening instrumentals. Standing loud and proud on the album are Eljuri’s melodic guitar solos, never over-done or flashy, they capture the essence of the song and feel as if they are a continuation of the lyrics. With huge influence from jazz, classic rock, Bossanova bands and classical guitar pieces, this modern outfitted album delivers at every turn.
There is a mix of songs on the album; ones that deal in the old style and spice things up, and ones that create something completely new and ground it, using well-known principles. This blending of ideals is how we get songs like our opener, ‘Espejo’. Funk guitar and bass with drums to match push hard for the chorus like modern songs, but when the lyrics open up with their backing harmonies we are brought back to the classical. Then, to throw us off guard once more, a guitar solo belts out that is contemporary in its tone and melodies. This sound carries through to ‘Salva La Tierra’ which begins with a pop rock vibe and bleeds into Latin expression as the song progresses. Our first taste of the classical sound comes with ‘La Voz’ which is warm and friendly as it welcomes you into the rich culture of the Latin sound, one that is so expressive it will never grow old.
Little music makes us think and dance at the same time, those thoughtful songs are set aside for rainy days or lonely nights. Eljuri, however, brings those thought-provoking songs to the forefront of Reflexion and emblazons them with catchy rhythms and dance beats. Songs like ‘Shelter’ with its almost tribal drums or the Bossanova core of ‘Llévame’. Going as far as ‘Pro Ti’ with an intro that is cinematic in its presentation, but blends flawlessly into a disco-like beat that really gets a groove on. Reflexion will make you move, it’s what this music is all about, but it does so in a way that feels expressive and new and caters for classic rock heads like myself who can really appreciate a solo that sits well within a song and deserves all the time in the world.
The sonic train does not stop there, however. Eljuri gives us songs that break even her mould, ‘El Día’ is a dark synth beat that rides an 80s aesthetic low, brought into the present using modern drums and some harmonic melodies, all the while keeping the Latin drum instrumental fusion at the heart of Reflexion. ‘No Puedo Cruzar’ brings ska rhythms to the party, with maracas and classic guitar riffs you can’t turn this sound down. It mixes well-worn and timeless with shiny-sparkling new. ‘Feeds you’ is the most modern-sounding track on the album. It starts punchy and pushes on with a composition that sounds almost like Kiss and harmonies that rival ELO.
To play us out, Eljuri gives us ‘El Camino’ a song with its teeth sunk deep into Latin culture and sounds. Not forgetting the rocksteady fusion, the beat drops in with guitars and modern bass and is the perfect 50/50 blend we have been waiting for. To get a grip on what Reflexion holds, I recommend listening to ‘El Camino’ and then listening to the prequels because it’s a story as old as music itself and the whole album sings. (There’s also a secret bonus track, but I’ll leave you to find that yourself, it’s worth the adventure).