Music Review: Rene Lopez, Paint The Moon Gold

By Melissa Bratcher

On his new album, Paint The Moon Gold, New York City musician Rene Lopez draws upon the rich musical tapestry of his city and pens a love letter—to New York, his family, and his heritage. The charismatic Mr. Lopez almost has an old school jazz singer vibe, though he calls his style of music “Electric Latin Soul,” which is as good of a descriptor as anything. Paint The Moon Gold is a cohesive, high-energy album that is paced cleverly. In fact, the album picks up in pace in the last quarter, leaving the listener on a high, rather than drifting off to sleep, lulled by quiet songs and quiet ideas. It’s a smart trick.

Rene Lopez’s father was a salsa trumpeter and that early musical education has left a deep impression on the younger Lopez, as he points out in the lively and propulsive “Purpose and Place.” He sings about the groundwork laid by early musical experiences, family, and place, about the “tribal ghetto” and then samba horns kick in. It’s a kaleidoscopic mission statement in song. Dumpstaphunk’s Ivan Neville contributes organ to the track.

“Steal Your Love” is urgent and driving with gorgeous low register flute by Chris Eminizer. I don’t hear enough flute these days, and Eminizer turns in an excellent solo. “Let’s Be Strangers Again” dips into world music and psychedelia (was that a sitar I heard?). The confessional “Just A Man” features smart trumpet playing by Don Harris and made me want to dance. Sultry backup vocals and a cha cha rhythm set the jazzy “Don’t You Change Your Heart” apart. The album closer, “Hey Papa,” with its exciting guitar and flute interplay, is charming and animated. “Here Comes Another Day” is expansive and soulful, hushed with shimmering layered vocals, hopeful and relaxed. The elegant “Midnight Love” boasts lovely harmonies and quiet beauty.

The only song that doesn’t really work is “Your Soul’s In Danger,” though it could have. There’s a spirited trumpet solo and tidy backing music, but then Lopez throws in creepy laughter and the title repeated in echo. I understand what he was going for, but it would have been a better B-side than an album track. With the wealth of good songwriting and excellent musicianship on the other songs, surely there was something left in the vault that could have replaced it.

Paint The Moon Gold is a refreshing album. There’s a passion that threads through the project and a lyrical openness that is surprising. It’s an evocative record that perhaps gets a little metaphysical (though not too metaphysical) and features truly fine musicians. It’s clear that Rene Lopez wears his heart on his sleeve, lyrically and musically. He’s not hiding behind a mask, and he’s making music on his own terms. That’s admirable.

Paint The Moon Gold was released May 13 on Lopez’s own Liberation Label.