What are the common fantasies of regular folks nowadays? Apart from marrying a Hollywood celebrity, most will mention a vague desire to live by the ocean. Some of them will say that they’ll buy a remote house on top of a mountain when they hit the big time. And there are even some who will flat out admit it – they’d build a bunker and live in it.
What did people dream of hundreds of years ago? Food, shelter and safety. Many of us have those things now for the vast majority of our lives. But they’re worthless if you can’t get any rest, no peace, no space for yourself. Listen, you need to start somewhere. And if you listen really closely to music like the one produced by Latin-psych-rock guitar maestro Justin Garcia, you’ll be better off.
How do I know it? I’ve been where you stood and know that when you focus on wonderfully designed, together music that possesses a generous touch of magic, then there’s little else worth thinking about. This ain’t a magic trick, but it works just like one. “Luz de la Luna” is a collection of songs designed to drown out the static and push you further into the deep waters of your dreams.
Take the record’s opener, “Duermete” (“Go to Sleep”). What is psychedelic music, really, if not an invitation to replace some of the world’s unromantic reality with dreaming? And how many musical genres are braver in their approach than psych-rock?
Garcia’s music is not designed merely to showcase the ability of its writer. It’s created for a specific effect – to relax you and entice your imagination. The artist’s weapons of choice are sounds borrowed and reutilised from jazz, rock, pop and the colossal heritage of Latin musical styles.
And since this is, in truth, a spell, it’s important that nothing breaks it. The sequencing of the EP is vital to fulfilling its mission. “Overgrown” with its soulful brass section and David Gilmour-like guitar solo gently pushes the ship down the river of dreams.
It’s only “Tranquilo” with its Latin grooves that introduces a bit of jeopardy, or the hypnotic “Segunda” that helps create tension. Don’t worry. What’s a story without a bit of risk?
The boat is eventually pulled into a safe harbour. “De Nuevo” with its lyrical guitar lines sounds like dreamers singing love songs to the moon. And, “April Fool” is an excellently crafted jazz number that provides a warm embrace.
Where does this all leave us? The title track arrives last. “Luz De La Luna” (“Moonlight”) is a tender, emotion-filled composition that’s recorded nearly as a whisper. There’ll always be the Moon above you. And while space ships may no longer make the trip, there are sounds that can take you there, music like the one created by Justin Garcia. Why worry, fret and let all of the static ruin your days?
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