June 6, 2011

A New Classic: Diego García's Laura

On his debut solo record Laura, Diego García, the Argentine-American singer and former frontman of post-punk band Elefant, channels a very classic and lush sound that at once recalls the intimacy of Leonard Cohen and the elegant production of Lee Hazlewood. Although García sings the entire record in English, the intonation and cadence of his singing voice often makes the songs sound as if they are in Spanish. It's a clever trick and one that pairs beautifully with the sharp flamenco-like lead acoustic guitar work. Over the record's 9 tracks, there's perhaps no moment more perfect than the chorus of the title-track, "Laura": García's sweetly heartbroken and pillowy vocals float on waves of reverb across a slow march of drums and a grand arrangement of strings. It's a rich combination of textures that might as well have been plucked off a 1970s Julio Iglesias or Nancy Sinatra record—simply timeless.

Diego García - "You Were Never There" (from Laura)

Stream: Diego García - "Laura" (from Laura)


Laura - Diego Garcia

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