REVIEW: Diego Garcia - Laura

Diego Garcia - Laura
MMM1/2

For the better part of a decade, Diego Garcia served as frontman and lead singer of New York garage rock/post-punk band Elefant. On his debut solo album, Laura, Garcia embraces his Latin roots, making an album rich with flamenco-style guitar, string arrangements, and the sounds of ‘60s/‘70s AM pop and Latin folk. It’s not just a solo album; this is Diego Garcia’s artistic rebirth.

Naming the record after his wife, it’s clear that the inspiration here runs very deep, very personal – and it certainly shows throughout the album’s nine tracks. Garcia has not only made a drastic stylistic change musically, he’s slightly altered his vocal style, as well. Laura finds him dropping the cool indifference of his Elefant days, adopting a tender, more romantic, increasingly heartfelt inflection. And while his days as a rock ‘n’ roller might give you the impression that this is all just posturing, Garcia sounds nothing but natural and genuine – not at all a forced simulation. His voice does carry a nonchalant tone at times, but it can never hide the vulnerability and heartache that lie at the root of these songs.

Laura is the sound of romance and reverie; it’s the essence of a cruise on crystal clear, sunlit, Caribbean waters. With orchestral grace and seductive crooning, the album possesses an elegant sound, one that’s lined with a subtle amount of amorous undertones. Supported by wonderful flamenco, classical guitar, rich string arrangements, and subtle percussion, Garcia moves from the passionate, mellow beauty of songs like “Stay” to the bright, enchanting warmth of “You Were Never There.” The latter is a standout with its tropical feel, arresting string section, and Garcia’s gentle croon – he makes heartache sound like one of the most beautiful things in the world. “Separate Lives” is a pleasant, moving Latin folk ballad of forgiveness that’s marked by a caress of violin and cello and a casual but emotional tone. Album closer “All Eyes On You” makes an intimate moment cinematic, with layers of voices and strings uniting to create a universal charm.

As a debut, Laura creates a strong, or rather fresh, start for Diego Garcia, as it ushers in a new chapter in his musical career. By tastefully combining his pop sensibilities with music from his Latin background, Garcia has created an album that, despite its lush arrangements and golden harmonies, is something marked by a poetic simplicity. The effort is nothing incredibly profound or new, musically-speaking – and, at times, it feels like it lacks a bit of detail – but it proves that Garcia is well on his way to forging a solo career that’s more artistically challenging and rewarding. Laura is a window into the true love between two individuals; it's absolutely gorgeous. It's a brilliant move towards a future album that will truly define Garcia’s identity as an artist.

Laura is out now on Nacional Records. Pick it up on Amazon, Amazon MP3, iTunes, or direct from Nacional.

Check out three tracks from Laura below.

Diego Garcia - "You Were Never There"


Diego Garcia - "Stay"


Diego Garcia - "Inside My Heart"