Every now and then I get an album among the 200 or so I get each week submitted for review that is out of my comfort zone, in this case, a piano album, Betrayal of the Sun by the Mexican pianist Kristina Trejo. I usually don’t do instrumentals, because I like to interpret lyrics. After all, that is what the artist is saying. But I know the artist through local live appearances I promised her I would give the album a listen, even though I thought it would be a very short listen. It wasn’t. It was a long, happy listen.
I listened to and enjoyed the entire album, realizing quickly that even without lyrics, this album was definitely in my comfort zone – a fusion, of jazz, a bit of pop, a bit of classical, a bit of romance, and a lot of fun. It is the kind of album you put in your earbuds or smart speaker for the day because it keeps you happy and moving along.
The 13 songs on the album are flawlessly executed with a flair that calms your mind but makes you smile at the same time. Trejo takes you on 13 adventures through sparkling musical landscapes that just plain, feel good. Putting on this album is like the relief you get from a workout or a margarita at the end of a tough day – tension and worry are washed away as the notes pour over you.
I especially enjoy putting the title song, “Betrayal of the Sun” on repeat and feeling the golden drops of piano notes fall gently into my ears, like a spring shower nourishing a garden. In today’s world where we are assaulted from all sides by marketing, politics, and cacophony, Betrayal of the Sun, is a musical refuge that will refresh, rejuvenate and refuel. Add it to your musical medicine chest.
Betrayal of the Sun is on Bandcamp at https://kristinatrejo.bandcamp.com/album/betrayel-of-the-sun. Check out her other albums and her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kristina.trejo.9
