Solstis - De León Larregui

The aptly titled Soloists is the debut solo album from León Larregui, former lead singer of the Cuernavaca, Mexico–based, Latin Grammy–winning psychedelic quintet Zoé. As the lysergic and kaleidoscopic album art suggests, Soloists is hardly a departure in style for Larregui. His songs are still quite influenced by late-'60s acid rock and trippy studio magic, recorded with attention to period-correct detail. “Aurora Boreal” opens like a Latin-flavored Dungen, with Larregui singing over a groovy rhythm section and vintage guitar tones, all slathered in antiquated reverb. “Brillas” follows on a breezier vibe; lilting acoustic guitar strums over a brushed snare drum as Larregui croons romantically, with subtle hints of tension and restraint in his inflections. The eerie “Carmin” moves on a smoldering waltz, with Mellotron woodwinds and smoking guitar leads accompanying some of the album’s most beautiful vocal harmonies. Some of the universally influential British Invasion seeps into the catchy standout “Como Tú (Magic Music Box).” The melody mirrors Badfinger’s “No Matter What” in the verses before a searing guitar lead turns the tune into a Mexican gem.