Independiente, Colombia
Rating: 89
By Carlos Reyes
Colombian darling Lido Pimienta would qualify as one of those true shining definitions of artistic truism. Her artiste qualities as a singer, writer and illustrator not only speak for themselves, they outshine their own spectrum. Lido currently resides in Canada, where she studies Art Criticism-Curation and forms part of the Tiny Box collective, in short, she’s surrounded by color and to everyone’s luck, she’s aware of it. Color EP marks her first official release, an incredibly confident breakthrough album that's already on the shortlist for best EP of the year.
The structure of the EP is simple, eight delightful songs divinely connected to Lido’s vivid persona, all envisioned and executed for the senses. The album’s first single “Mueve” is bombastic in a supreme league (you know, up there with T.I.’s “What You Know”). Her gifted vocals direct to a very ambitious song on cosmopolitanism and inner strength/choice. “La vibracion te guiara... y la musica te calma y sana”, it goes beyond its words to literally loop music from one state to another, and from one purpose to another. It’s that endless sense of possibilities that make “Mueve” such a comforting piece, that ability of connecting to any of its layers.
While listening to the culturally unifying intro “Humano”, one can’t help but to feel a certain healing process through the vocal’s smooth pacing and its occasional encounters with desperation. “Aqui Conmigo” serves great as a pastiche of pop music, resembling Javiera Mena’s “Perlas” and even Jay Z’s “Empire state of the mind” in the way it spills into space and comes back as she sings “explosiones de besos te voy a dar.”
Color EP goes from suggestive to a strong rampage of political concern; luckily, it stays on its premise of placing color as the main negotiator of its topics. This explains why the political reflecting songs are enclosed with Colombian folklore. “La Minga” and “La Rata” are particularly attached to Colombia's tropical bravura. “La Minga” forefronts the campesino anxiety to keep its land, confronting the 21st century cubicle worker along the way. "La Rata" is a heart punch to corruption and our participation with 'the system.'
The rock edge and march-stream in “Progreso” is in a whole new league, a touching chant for Colombia’s progression towards peace, “viviendo en tinieblas, no mas… es nuestro progreso lleno de bondad, llegando hacia la cima, todo el amor ya sin sufrimiento, Colombia vendra hacia la paz." Later, it cheers "no fallara! no fallara! Colombia vendra hacia la paz!" The closing English-language track “Freedom” is a crystallized and delicate, “defend your freedom.” Lido understands composition and art as an ongoing stimulating medium (‘the triangular prism’). Having said that, her songs display as much personality as musicality. A stunning debut whether in chops or its entirety.
♫♫♫ "Aqui Conmigo"
lovely and loving review!
ReplyDeletemy heart goes out to lido...
this world is better with her in it.
j
Lido le pone sabor y color al mundo! ^^
ReplyDeleteGracias Lido!
que buena!!
ReplyDeleteyeeeaaahh! that short list needs to get shorter- and with color at the top!
ReplyDelete<3
we are blessed she is with us
ReplyDeleteLido is so adorable... I can't wait for my Color to arrive!! Hurry up canadian postal service!!
ReplyDeletecolores llenos a amor!
ReplyDeletethe canadian postal service is incredibly slow
ReplyDeletebut that is the way it is up in kkkanada
we're backwards
which is why god sent lido into our midst
we who deserve her so little
need to listen to her healing music
it is a miracle and from the heavens
bless her and love her!
i gots mine at the CD release partyyyy :D SO good.
ReplyDeleteI got mine 2 weeks ago. I live in Finland and I play it all day long over and over again.VERY LOUD.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbors don't seem to mind, I guess they like it too.
Love La Minga and La Rata. I am saving money to see her live in Colombia.
Lido Mexican Tour!
ReplyDeleteWill be there first row!
Did you see the line-up for Guacamole Fest?
Tijuana Baja is one damn lucky city!
Lido is my girl
ReplyDeletevery much her own woman
but a dear close friend who deserves all the love and support she is getting
(((( <3 )))))