Urban Trad
Kerua

"And who are these here?!" will be the exclamation of many when reading the name Urban Trad.

Well, they are a Belgian group born in 2000 that immediately captured the hearts of many thanks to their folk songs mixed with other genres like rock, electronic, and Celtic music, so much so that they were chosen in 2003 as Belgium's representatives at the Eurofestival and finished second thanks to "Sanomi," a single contained in this wonderful masterpiece.

Perhaps the strong point of this album is something that is not present in almost any album in music history: a completely invented language.

In fact, in the sung tracks, they sing only in an invented language. But probably the language just adds to the fascination, thanks to such a light and different sound from the rest that it reaches our body like a warm bath after a long day, makes us lose our senses completely, makes us feel free from anything earthly. The allure of mystery? Probably.

The album opens with "Mecanix Remix," probably the most rock piece, which with strokes of electric guitar, violins, flutes, and some very light, almost imperceptible piano key, immediately stuns us, not leaving us even a breath. And then comes "Kerua," with a style much closer to Irish folk music, followed by "Sanomi," an unprecedented masterpiece of folk music, thanks to its wonderful bagpipes and the style close to African music in the way the song is sung and interpreted.

The next track, "Il Est Bien Temp/33," is the first of the entirely instrumental pieces in the album and has something fresh, electrifying. But it is "Lampang" that makes us lose our minds. It is a real blow to the mind. It makes us lose all senses completely, we find ourselves lost in total darkness, it seems like we are inside a dark forest, drenched by rain where silence reigns. We are catapulted towards new horizons, unbound from any earthly sentiment, made of air, we lift to the sky without a cry, we understand nothing anymore, but it doesn't matter, because this sweet sound gently caresses us and lulls us slowly into a state of total hypnosis. We are hypnotized by the music. Without a doubt the best piece of the album.

We suddenly rise on the bouncing notes of "Berim Dance" and "Quimper-Moscou" which make us unconsciously move our whole body and bring a slight smile to our faces, great for restoring good spirits, and without a doubt, the combination of folk music with '80s dance in "Get Reel" will also be incredibly fun, which deserves no adjective other than "spectacular." Truly something never heard before, very original.

The energy charge is lost, returning to softer music like "The Roses (jig)" with a skillfully plucked guitar and a flute and violin that somehow manage to convey all the fun and passion they felt playing this song. "Medina" has something a bit Egyptian and is very pleasant and also "Leina Street" is very interesting. "Alto" in its notes manages to convey despair, desolation, sadness without the need for voices, explanations, or indications that lead to such feelings. Definitely worth listening to. Then follows the live version of "Sanomi" at Eurovision, up until the beautiful closing of the album with "Galicia," at times carnivalesque, very colorful.

So, the album is truly a masterpiece, recommended for everyone, that will even please the most skeptical, those who believe that folk or Celtic music is something no one listens to, except for the Irish or Scottish bagpipe players.

If you buy it, you will not regret it, believe me.