Un Dia Normal is the breakthrough album that transformed Juanes into one of today's most popular Latin music artists around the world. Several of the tracks included in this production are easily among the group of top songs by Juanes. The following is an overview of Un Dia Normal, one the best Latin Pop albums of the last years.
Defining A Style
Besides the enormous popularity and exposure that Un Dia Normal gave to Juanes, this album is also responsible for defining the musical style of this Colombian artist. Before jumping into a solo career, Juanes was very much into hard Rock and Heavy Metal. In fact, his former band Ekhymosis was heavily influenced by this kind of music.
Even though Ekhymosis enjoyed some popularity in Colombia, the band remained popular only at the local level. Maybe because of this experience, Juanes decided to try something new. With Un Dia Normal Juanes introduced a new musical style defined by soft Rock, romantic Latin Pop songs and some Alternative sounds resulting from his first experiments with traditional Colombian music.
Although those who enjoyed the music of Ekhymosis were disappointed by this move, Un Dia Normal brought the music of Juanes into a much bigger stage. In fact, this production became a hit album throughout Latin America and the US.
Soft Rock and Latin Pop
Un Dia Normal offers a nice compilation of soft Rock and Latin Pop songs. Some of the best songs dealing with this kind of sound include titles like "Es Por Ti," "Un Dia Normal," "La Unica" and "Dia Lejano". In particular, the song "Es Por Ti" is the breakthrough single of Juanes as a romantic singer and one of the best songs from Un Dia Normal.
Another hit that follows into the steps of the songs I previously mentioned is "Fotografia," a track featuring Pop superstar Nelly Furtado. This is a very romantic single offering nice lyrics and a wonderful duet by the two artists.
"A Dios Le Pido"
The first track of this album is also the song that allowed Juanes to move beyond the Colombian borders. "A Dios Le Pido" is a refreshing song offering creative lyrics, a nice electric guitar playing and a sound that fits into an alternative zone where Rock meets the vibes of Tropical music.
In terms of its music, "A Dios Le Pido" is the dividing point of this album. It stays right in the middle of the romantic songs featured on this work and the more alternative tracks included on the album. In other words, "A Dios Le Pido" is also the most visible point of reference for Un Dia Normal.
Alternative Sound and Traditional Music
Un Dia Normal is also the album where Juanes started his experiments with traditional Colombian rhythms. In track such as "La Paga" and "La Historia De Juan," the Latin Pop singer brings some familiar sounds and beats from traditional Colombian music that includes a bit of Musica de Carrilera, the traditinal style of the country's coffee lands. The last song on this album, which is entitled "La Noche," offers a nice version of the popular hit produced by the legendary Salsa and Tropical singer Joe Arroyo.
Although Un Dia Normal is definitely defined by its Rock and Latin Pop sounds, Juanes discovered with this album a new alternative sound that he incorporated into later productions. In fact, his worldwide hit "La Camisa Negra" from the album Mi Sangre, followed the alternative sounds that Juanes developed with Un Dia Normal.
'Un Dia Normal' - Bottom Line
From "A Dios Le Pido" to "La Noche," Un Dia Normal is a fantastic album from beginning to end. Besides being the breakthrough album that transformed Juanes into a Latin music superstar, Un Dia Normal is probably the best album the Colombian singer has ever produced to this date. If you are just getting into Latin music and need some advice as far as albums go, I would definitely recommend to you Un Dia Normal.
'Un Dia Normal' - Best Tracks
To be honest with you, I would say the best tracks of this album are all of them! However, if I need to highlight the best songs of this production, I would choose the following:- "A Dios Le Pido"
Listen / Download / Purchase - "Es Por Ti"
Listen / Download / Purchase - "La Paga"
Listen / Download / Purchase - "La Unica"
Listen / Download / Purchase - "Mala Gente"
Listen / Download / Purchase - "Fotografia"
Listen / Download / Purchase
Release Date: May 2002
