Album Review/ Alternative : LAOR’s ‘ÊMOONÀ’

LAOR is an alternative banner that explores the invisible worlds that exist within us and around us. Ambiences that you feel, spaces that make you journey more deeply into the human experience. Their latest is the ‘ÊMOONÀ’ album, a collection of music that forms in transcendental spaces. Music that makes you feel, think, and explore. The compositions in this collection take you to lofty spaces and emotions while also giving you a sense of grounding and connection.

Even if you don’t understand the languages that the songs are sung in, you can resonate with. Because the emotion is given away so freely and generously that it absorbs into you like sunlight. That universality of the human spirit passes on, recognisable in an instant, almost to a point of being sentimental. 

‘Great Eagle feat. Abuela Maria Valdivia’ opens the album. A prayer to remain true and free, no matter what you do. With lively melodies, luminous folk and soothing vocals, it becomes a song that you need to slow down and lose yourself to the pace and madness of the world around you. 

All the tracks have a sense of serenity that is built into it. Songs form to fluid rhythms with a seemingly intricate and internal harmony. It’s refreshing because it opens up a landscape inside you, of peace, nature and returns the listener back to their best human self. 

In tracks like ‘Minha Estrela Guia’, ‘Breath’ and ‘Eu Peço A meh Pai’, the songs are hymns almost that go with the flow of the melodies. With natural sound samples inhabiting the backdrop, they feel fresh and surreal immediately. Oriental acoustics tingle along. The magic of the vocals and the harmonies make the songs. It feels like it’s from a whole other world, the emotion is so warm and soothing. Like a bowl of delicious soup on a rainy day. That’s the feeling. 

The Latin grooves and styles show up in tracks like ‘Cainã’ and ‘Ay Aquita’ in a mellow and confessional way. The blues are slow and full of feeling as they flow through these tracks. Each song casts its own atmosphere and revels in it. Enjoying the theme and basking in its journey. In ‘Ay Aquita’ they celebrate nature and water, a soft and friendly worship. With jazz format flute lines and communal choruses, the track really surrounds you. In ‘Indio Mensageiro’ it becomes a carnival, a groovy composition that has you flowing right into its core. There are jazz tangents within this song as well. And a whole lot of blues. It has that afro music feel with memorable chords and layers of earthy instrumentals. And through it all, beautiful vocals that bring so much richness and depth to the song. 

Other tracks like the title track, ‘Niftach’ and ‘HoduLeyah’ are incredibly intentional. The pace is pausing, with rhythms that form as if life is taking form within the tracks. The aliveness is felt more here because the tracks are momentous and full of sentiment. The title track is especially a gift to music. With stylistic variance that is nothing short of brilliant, blended with care and craft, it elevates you to a soft transcendence. There is worship in the track. Romanticism in passion and an infinite gratitude in the emotions. The interpretations and intensity are for you to feel and experience in real time. The beauty of this album is known when it is felt. Listen Now! 

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The album is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music!

Listen to ‘ÊMOONÀ’ by LAOR here -