Playlist Update! Bebe, Y.

Bebe's latest album from 2009 is titled Y.. To my knowledge, this is only her second album - her first, Pafuera Telaranas, released in 2005 - has been one of my favorites for years now, and I mentioned it briefly in my inaugural Playlist Update last week. So, this second album had a lot to live up to in my mind... did it succeed?

Well, the answer is a resounding YES! In fact, to this music lover, the new album surpasses her previous effort. The songs on Y. continue to feature Bebe's electric, riveting vocals front and center, providing an anchor to each song. I cannot help but be drawn to her voice. For the most part, she controls it, keeping her voice under control. But occasionally, she really lets it fly and reveals an edgy, biting quality which helps propel a song to its apex. The compositions range from more relaxed, acoustic guitar-driven tracks (e.g., "Sinsentido" or "Nostare"), to harder electric guitar driven rock-style pieces like "Que Mimporta" , to others with a distinct pop'ish sound, such as "Se Fue", and everywhere in between (see "Pa Mi Casa"). All songs are of high musical quality, and all are a joy to listen to.

Other tracks of distinction include "Me Fui" and "Busco-Me", which features a cool out-of-phase nylon stringed guitar melody that opens the track and anchors it throughout. If it's possible to pick a favorite track, it might be "La Bicha", which has a compelling bass-heavy underpinning and a layered "chorus" of back-up vocals from Bebe herself.

I have mentioned eight of thirteen tracks by name! And it's not as if the other five tracks are slouches, either. In fact, there is a not a single track that I don't think is of high quality in the musical sense. The recording quality is also pretty good, devoid of muddy bass or rolled-off highs, with clear vocals, which all told serves to propel her excellent songs. Buy it, and enjoy!