If you ever wonder how years of experience, collaborations, and touring sounds like? This is it. An album very rich in musicality, context, and emotions. Carles Gutiérrez is a guitarist and composer with over 10 albums recorded and tours around the world with lots of bands like: Muyayo Rif, The Summer Lovers, Transit Trio, Estación del Este, Judit Neddermman, 5 de swing, Hypnotick Orchestra or Dani Txarnego. This knowledgeable musician has a variety of interests and encounters, yet they all are linked to jazz.  He was part of the musical writing and composition process throughout his projects. He also composed music for theatrical shows, advertising projects and was part of musical direction and productions of some albums. 

With more than 100 concerts a year throughout his varied career projects, what better timing to release your own first album than the peak of your success and prime of your musical creativity? Tot és Ara is an album of 11 songs in total, 9 originals and 2 cover adaptations of “Un trosset de Cel” (Àlvaro Barbero) and “Hymne a l’Amour” (Édith Piaf, Marguerite Monnot). The songs are all instrumental with only one song with a vocal line. Carles is on guitar joined by Martí Hosta on drums and Jordi Mestres on double bass. The overall feel of the album is dreamy, chilled, sweet, and romantic. It takes you on a travel journey throughout Latin America and its rich culture and musical foundations and styles, between Cuban, Brazilian, flamenco, or on a beautiful trip on the European islands in summertime. The album was produced by the artist himself along with Pau Figueres and recorded at Panorama 1526 by Carles Puntí with mixing and mastering at The Sound of Wood by Aniol Bestit, joined by lots of collaborations and features with professionals as Laura Cruells, Jordi Bonell, Pau Figueres, Joan Mas and Alvar Monfort. “Go” is the first song in the album and was released as a single, the percussion line is very remarkable and rich. Each instrument has its own solo line and it’s like they are having an ongoing conversation through a dance, it’s a very interesting combo. “Nadia” the second song in the album is more focused on the melodic line while “Terra” is the only song with a vocal line in the album, which gives it a special place. 

Each song in the album falls on your ears differently, yet the same. Each one has a characteristic or a focal point that is different from the other, yet they all give you the same feeling and mood all over. Worth listening to no doubt. 

Carles Gutiérrez on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Our artist is a unique encounter, a sensitive, emotional soul who interprets his feelings and thoughts through music. Alex Stanilla, a thirty-year-old independent songwriter, and producer who grew up on the influence of the likes of The Beach Boys, Elliott Smith, The Sopranos, and The Last Podcast on the Left. Alex’s journey with music isn’t recent or based on a whim, he was a very accomplished violinist that he performed in Carnegie Hall at the age of 10. 

Growing up he decided to take a different approach in his music and depictions, he mingled his songwriting skills and film degree and focused on cinematic style of music; he says, “My lyrical style tends to take an impressionistic view of films, with the subtext of watching it through a different lens and using it to interpret my life.” Which is the first thing that might come to the listener’s mind while listening to “Room” his latest release. It’s a short, fun romantic song, a poem of about 5 lines that only repeats twice. The more you listen to the song the more you unlock its musical layers and context. It’s surreal, blurry, as if you’re living in a dream. The story behind the song is interesting, he wrote it on his way to his friend’s wedding in summer 2020 with wanting the ultimate newlyweds/honeymoon phase song. It was later released during valentine’s day; recorded by the artist himself and mixed and mastered by Dereck Blackburn of Quiethouse recording. It’s not your typical car ride song but worth a listen.
Alex Stanilla on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Souncloud, TikTok, and Bandcamp.

Estella Dawn is a New Zealand born, US-based pop artist, singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who turns the table on relationships with her most recent single, “Buzzcut”.

With a flow of amusing words to highlight the idea of “Chameleon daters”, people who change their appearance, style, musical taste, and even eating habits to mirror each new romantic partner.

The song is an anthem dedicated to staying true to yourself when getting to know a new partner.

“Be yourself” is the central message of the lyrics, and Estella had been herself when she got into producing music.

Estella’s work speaks for herself, leaving the impression of being a strong, independent artist. Her distinctive voice dynamics are perfect to cover and interpret the real-life topics she goes for.

The arrangement of the song is whole, rhythmic & engaging. The instrumental variety is rich and exciting. The classical guitar riff and the guitar solos in different music parts left a great impression and earmark.

“Buzzcut” is the first single released from her highly anticipated full-length album later this year. 

Having already released 17 singles since 2020, this album is the next step up, demonstrating how Estella knows how to incorporate a close-knit mix of musical arrangements, where Estella’s relatable, almost poetic lyrics and impressive vocal skills shine.

Estella is no stranger to our sister platform Rock Era, we have had the pleasure to review more of her work like Salt, Fiery B and I Dare You. 

With her undiscussable vocal abilities and genuine composition capabilities, Estella Dawn has the power to capture all your senses, and she’s got over 77K monthly listeners on Spotify to back her up.

Reviewed by: Mohamed Ayman

Edited by: Mercedes Thomas