After the successful album launch of The Neon Hour - I really wanted to publish this album review at an earlier date but surprise, surprise, we had work even during the Holy Week break and to top it off we were also working on a Corporate Shoot project at the same time. As I said in a Facebook post it was like working twice (or working two jobs) during the Holy Week. Plus the heat of summer had me just going to sleep right after work.
I hated myself for not getting this album review out sooner - just because it's such an awesome album I want to share it with you guys! :)
I wrote in my be/ep review that I felt that the EP left me wanting for more well - The Neon Hour album satisfied that craving for more of B.P.'s music.
When you play the CD, the album opens with Early/Late which is reminiscent of the tracks from her be/ep EP, like having dialogue (which Paul loves conversing with). In my opinion this is a great way to start the album so that fans are eased into the more upbeat and diverse tracks which the rest of the album offers.
Pretty Car is a great song to describe B.P's music (as of the moment) and is radio ready. B.P. describes the album taking a more "electro-pop" direction and 'Pretty Car' fits the electro-pop bill.
I think that this is my favorite track in the album - it sticks to your head and you find yourself singing and dancing to it.
As we were playing the album Paul commented "the quality of the music is really good- OPM has come a long way - put that in the review" he added. I already mentioned it before but I just have to say it again - Paul rarely gives his compliments to anything; so giving his 'thumbs up' to B.P. really says a lot.
I wrote in my be/ep review that I felt that the EP left me wanting for more well - The Neon Hour album satisfied that craving for more of B.P.'s music.
When you play the CD, the album opens with Early/Late which is reminiscent of the tracks from her be/ep EP, like having dialogue (which Paul loves conversing with). In my opinion this is a great way to start the album so that fans are eased into the more upbeat and diverse tracks which the rest of the album offers.
Pretty Car is a great song to describe B.P's music (as of the moment) and is radio ready. B.P. describes the album taking a more "electro-pop" direction and 'Pretty Car' fits the electro-pop bill.
I think that this is my favorite track in the album - it sticks to your head and you find yourself singing and dancing to it.
As we were playing the album Paul commented "the quality of the music is really good- OPM has come a long way - put that in the review" he added. I already mentioned it before but I just have to say it again - Paul rarely gives his compliments to anything; so giving his 'thumbs up' to B.P. really says a lot.
During the album launch - B.P. talks about how Nick Lazaro was a big part of the album and I just have to say that we love MOONWLK - Lazaro is 1/2 of the electro-pop duo. It's really great that B.P. is working with other artists to create music, it allows for more creative output and I just love that talented local artists are getting together to collaborate on awesome music! You can hear Nick Lozado on "The Fury and Sound" while Curtismith collaborates with our electro-pop genius in "Veneers". I wrote before that the indication of a good album if there are collaborations with other artists and The Neon Hour is such an album.
The Neon Hour is an 11 track album which features a true artist and musician in 19 year old B.P. Valenzuela. Her first full length album is a beacon of hope and a bright light in an industry which clings to foreign acts and dime quality novelty songs. The Neon Hour is a coming-of-age album and tackles themes of growing up and deals with "the grey areas of love, alienation, loss, separation, melancholy, aimlessness, restlessness, and the city rendered in different energies". The musicality in the songs is truly admirable in their subtle complexity; the pulsating beats and attention to detail makes each track unique in its own character, it's not like it's the same song throughout the album.
B.P. is set to take over the music scene, she is performing in upcoming music festivals and has been travelling, bringing her infectious music with her. Paul wishes that audiences would take a break from listening to foreign acts or novelty songs -even for a while and listen to just even one of her songs - you will be blown away and who knows you might not go back to those novelty songs again, who knows we wouldn't be surprised.
When I write album reviews, I also talk about the album art and packaging because, well it's all part of the package right? The Neon Hour did not disappoint in the songs and it did not disappoint in the album art as well. The packaging opens up like a pizza (always makes me hungry), the sleeves features beautiful contemporary art (like the one below). I don't think there were full lyrics though, which is something that I always look for. I do appreciate that the CD had a paper sleeve to keep it protected.
Aside from The Neon Hour, the album launch also debuted the music video for one of the tracks in the album (and another favorite of mine) STEADY. The video was directed by Petersen Vargas and showcases some beautiful cinematography. It's not your typical all the artist does is be cute and lip synch in front of the camera, there's really a story there and it makes you think - so much so that after the video I asked Paul: "So why was she mad when she got back to the car? Was it because she saw 'what she really wanted' in the relationship inside that convenient store? So what they really have is not real?" That was just my take on it though :P Can't wait for the full video to be available for our viewing and listening pleasure soon! :)
For the meantime you can check out the teaser below!
STEADY Teaser
tonight, we also premiere the music video of BP Valenzuela's "Steady" from The Neon Hour! see you later!---"STEADY"Produced by BP ValenzuelaDirected by Petersen VargasDirectors of Photography Martika Ramirez Escobar, Cesca LeeProduction Designer Kayzzle del RosarioProduction Manager Charms ValenzuelaStarring BP Valenzuela & Rj Rayos
Posted by Petersen Vargas on Saturday, March 28, 2015
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