Review: Rob Garza Presents - Daydream Accelerator.
Rob Garza has been a stalwart in the electronic/EDM/dance/trip hop/world music scene for over twenty years (20) years now, ever since he first took the stage with his bandmates in the celebrated and groundbreaking band Thievery Corporation. Under the name GARZA, Rob has ventured off into the land of solo albums with the help from some great friends, such as: Racquel Jones (his fellow bandmate in Thievery Corporation), Stee Downes, Calaca, Walker & Royce, and Enemy Planes. According to GARZA, “This musical incarnation is important to me because it is something new and not just doing what I know. It is a musical statement…”. Well said, Rob. Not only is this a musical statement for GARZA, but it is also an amalgamation of so many styles of music that each track will keep the listener enthralled from beginning to the very last note.
Daydream Accelerator starts off with a very cool and dreamy, synth pop track called “Summer is Ours” featuring Enemy Planes on vocals. One of my personal, favorite tracks is next up “Can’t Kill Me” featuring Calice and Walker & Royce. GARZA’s brilliant blend of synthesizers and harmonic vocals is very mesmerizing as he takes the listener on a sonic journey for 3:59. Enemy Planes lends a hand on vocals again for “We Want Blood” which is another banger of a track as GARZA and Enemy Planes keeps the listener dancing for 4:35.
Now I am probably being biased, but even before I heard Racquel Jones speak a word on “Talkin”, I instantly knew this was going to be my favorite track. No lie. Racquel is just that damn good. Her work with Thievery Corporation speaks volumes and even her solo album, Ignorant, deserves some attention! For 3:12, GARZA and Racquel take the listener on a dancehall, reggaeton journey with Racquel spitting some hot fire from start to finish!
Next, GARZA has an instrumental track, “Ocean Morning Echoes”, that gives the listener a vivid, sonic description of ‘ocean morning echoes’ in their mind while enjoying this magical track. It’s hard not to listen to “Ocean Morning Echoes” and not want to be sitting oceanside in some random villa in flip-flops. Another great track to mention, “Swim to Shore” featuring Fare (see the video below) will get some play if the DJs know what is best for the audience. “Letting Go” featuring Stee Downes has a cool Prince vibe to it, and it blends well to the smooth vibe throughout the song.
Much like his brilliant work in Thievery Corporation, GARZA blends some incredible, world music styles together with some energetic faces in the music scene for his debut album, Daydream Accelerator. GARZA not only pushes the boundaries with Daydream Accelerator, but he also realizes a personal goal. To create something new and fresh by completely stepping away from his own personal comfort zone. Imagining some of these tracks being played live just gives me goose bumps. Check out Daydream Accelerator today and hear for yourself!
Track listing:
1 Summer Is Ours (feat. Enemy Planes)
2 Can’t Kill Me (feat Calica, Walker & Royce)
3 Future Comes Too Late (feat. EMELINE)
4 We Want Blood (feat. Enemy Planes)
5 Talkin (feat. Racquel Jones)
6 Ocean Morning Echoes
7 Way Out (feat. Enemy Planes)
8 Swim to Shore (feat. Fare)
9 Letting Go (feat. Stee Downes)
10 Something That’s Different (feat. EMELINE)
Curious about Concerthopper? You can find more music related articles, interviews, various photo galleries, indie music reviews, our very own ‘Bars & Bites’ section, our exclusive “She Said, She Said” column, or become a Concerthopper at www.concerthopper.com. Sign up for our monthly newsletter by following this link: The Setlist! Please ‘Like’ our page on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to stay up to date in 2021 on all music related events/festivals such as: Cherub: Live at The Eastern, 21 Years of Bad Luck: Bayside with Senses Fail: Live at Buffalo Riverworks. Welcome to Rockville, August Burns Red “Leveler” 10 Year Anniversary Tour: Live at Town Ballroom, Blue Ridge Rock Festival, Boombox: Live at Terminal West, Ministry: The Industrial Strength Tour (Atlanta), Quicksand: Live at The Masquerade, Boombox: Live at Terminal West, AmericanaFest, Knotfest Roadshow (Alpharetta), Whitey Morgan & the 78’s: Live at Terminal West, Shoals Fest, Silverstein: 20th Anniversary Tour (House of Blues – Cleveland), Dinosaur Jr.: Live at The Masquerade, & Khruangbin: Live at The Eastern by following us on all social media formats: Concerthopper on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, you can follow my personal concert hopping on Facebook and Instagram for even more photos not available on Concerthopper.com.