REVIEW: Bea Montero : BREAKIN' FREE (Album)

 Bea Montero - Breakin’ Fears

“Breakin’ Fears” is the debut album released by Bea Montero in 2021. Hailing from Madrid, Spain, Montero has quickly made a name for herself in the music scene with her distinctive style and emotive performances. As of now, she is diligently working on her third album, which is anticipated to be released later in 2024. In this retrospective, we revisit her first album, "Breakin' Fears," and embark on an in-depth exploration of each of its ten tracks, delving into the intricacies and artistic expressions that define her initial foray into the music industry.

We open the album with “Many Lessons” a vocal acapella creating a beautiful open sound. When we get the instrumental, it is used to accentuate the vocals. The vocal harmonies throughout the track are performed to a high standard and create a relaxing atmosphere. The chorus or hook of the song is memorable and shares a unique story that is expanded during the verses - the idea that you learn from your experiences (lessons) and these change your perspective of experiences in the future. This song is the longest on the album at 5:51 and acts as a warm up to the album.

"Road of a Dream" opens with a tranquil and serene atmosphere, characterized by gentle piano melodies and soft, soothing vocals. The delicate piano notes set a calming tone, while the subtle use of reverb on the vocals adds a sense of space and depth, filling the small gaps between each lyrical line and creating an immersive listening experience.As the tempo gradually increases, the song transitions from its smooth ballad style into a more lively jazz-inspired feel. This shift brings a new layer of complexity and excitement to the track. The vocals, which initially serve as a gentle, melodic device, begin to interact dynamically with the piano. The piano's rich, full-bodied sound expands to emulate the presence of a complete jazz band, weaving intricate harmonies and rhythms that complement the vocal performance. This transformation highlights the versatility of the arrangement and showcases the seamless blend of ballad and jazz elements within the song.

Track 3 provides a prominent showcase for the piano, allowing its melodies to take center stage and guide the musical direction. In "Leave It," the piano establishes a compelling melodic foundation, with the vocals closely following its intricate patterns. This track highlights Bea Montero's impressive dynamic vocal range, from powerful, soaring high notes to delicately sung low tones. Her ability to navigate these extremes with precision and emotion underscores her technical prowess and artistic versatility. The interplay between Montero's voice and the piano creates a harmonious balance, emphasizing the depth and skill of her performance while adding a rich, textured layer to the song.

Next up is “No Words,” a brisk and evocative track that blends the avant-garde essence of John Cage with the cinematic flair of Bruno Coulais. This song features a captivating interplay of vocals and piano, creating an ambiance reminiscent of gentle rainfall at nighttime. Despite its shorter length of 2:41, the track invites listeners to immerse themselves in the intricate details of the vocal performance. Every nuance and subtlety is worth savouring, making "No Words" a standout piece on the album.

"Changing" delves into the theme of personal transformation over time, influenced by external factors such as relationships and interactions with others. The song explores how these influences can shape and alter one's identity, reflecting both the positive and negative impacts of these experiences. The lyrics poignantly address the complexities of change, capturing the nuanced ways people evolve. A particularly striking feature of the track is the use of harmonies that occasionally incorporate beautiful dissonance. This subtle yet powerful musical choice may symbolise the discomfort and challenges associated with change, adding a deeper layer of meaning to the song. This dissonance serves as a hidden element within the track, enhancing the emotional depth and offering listeners an insightful auditory representation of the story being told.

Rhythm plays a crucial role in "Waves," with intricate patterns that either mirror the vocals and piano or provide a contrasting backdrop through the use of polyrhythms. This dynamic interplay between rhythm and melody keeps listeners engaged and attentive throughout the track. The title "Waves" is aptly chosen, reflecting the fluid, undulating nature of the music. The vocals exhibit a swirling quality, reminiscent of ocean waves, while the rhythmic variations evoke images of waves of different sizes—from the powerful, rapid surges of larger waves to the gentle, soothing laps of smaller waves against the shore. This imagery enhances the listening experience, making the track both captivating and evocative.

“Daya-n-Darap,” the seventh track on the album, is heavily influenced by jazz, showcasing a rich tapestry of complex timing changes and staccato piano riffs. The song is peppered with scat-style vocals, adding a lively, improvisational feel that pays homage to classic jazz traditions. One of the standout elements of this track is its use of a classic fade-out, a departure from the definitive endings of the other songs on the album. This subtle shift in the concluding style adds a refreshing and nostalgic touch, enhancing the overall listening experience and highlighting the track's unique character.

“Go” marks a striking change of pace from the other tracks, featuring a more upbeat tempo and a distinctive time-signature shift that evokes a sense of curiosity and intrigue. The lyrics, once again well-crafted, narrate a story of how another person's struggles can influence one's own, or perhaps delve into the complexities of self-inflicted challenges. The track is further distinguished by its rhythmic vocals, which drive the instrumental forward, adding a dynamic energy that enhances the overall composition. This combination of elements makes “Go” a standout track with a compelling and emotive narrative.

Track 9, aptly titled “End,” embraces a deeply emotional theme conveyed through a heartfelt ballad style. The longing for love, a universally relatable sentiment, is expressed with poignant clarity and beautifully crafted lyrics such as “no more flowers” and “no more falling apart.” This track stands out as one of the more melancholic pieces on the album, offering a stark contrast to the more upbeat songs that precede it. The soothing tempo and introspective lyrics provide a refreshing change of pace, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the raw emotion and tender vulnerability that “End” so eloquently captures.

The final track on “Breakin’ Fears” is “Time To Stop,” which elegantly encapsulates the themes and styles explored throughout the album. This closing song skillfully blends the ballad style and piano-vocal rhythms that have been a hallmark of the album, creating a poignant and cohesive conclusion. "Time To Stop" effectively synthesises elements from earlier tracks, serving as a fitting wrap-up to the journey presented in the album. It offers a final opportunity to experience the delicate interplay of Montero's emotive vocals and the powerful piano arrangements that have defined the album. The track stands as a reflective conclusion, summarising the emotional depth and musical intricacies of “Breakin’ Fears” with grace and resonance.

A standout feature of the album is its striking artwork. It depicts a headless character suspended by a golden hand, a visually arresting image that immediately captures attention. The artwork is awash in bright, vivid colors and boasts a distinctive style that sets it apart from typical album covers. The originality and creativity of the design make it particularly memorable. I truly appreciate the artwork for its boldness and unique aesthetic, which perfectly complements the innovative spirit of the album itself.

Each track on the album tells its own story and is performed with their own nuances. The album is full of mixed feel songs with varying emotions portrayed. Every song displays the skillful piano and vocals combination in a smooth jazz genre. Bea Montero displays a huge skill set for the piano and vocals throughout the album and knows how to interest the listener and change the environment of the music with every song - from gentle ocean atmosphere to bustling city (sometimes in just one song). The lyrics in songs are deep and well written with stories and themes explored as individuals during their run time. A common theme in vocals is their sharing of rhythm with the piano and letting the listener build more attachment to the “beat” of the track.

Listen to Bea Montero’s music here: https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/album/2nyIJYXWkFnsZvfk6fTQgA?si=OBOGXB-KT2aaQ27OhZaHJw and check out  her website: www.beamontero.com 

Instagram:  @beamontero.page 

Written by Kole Cook

@Kolecookmusic