Helado Negro's Roberto Carlos Lange has always honored his roots in his music, blending his Ecuadorian heritage with the diverse sounds he heard while growing up in Florida. This celebration feels even more vital on Private Energy, Lange's response to the politically charged climate of the late 2010s. Where previous Helado Negro albums seemed to exist just to capture fleeting moments of beauty, this time Lange trades blissful drifting for something more intentional. Just as his music is rooted in his heritage, he gives Private Energy solid foundations to withstand tumultuous times. "Tartamundo" is grounded by brassy synths and a driving but distant beat, while "Lengua Larga"'s driven fusion of synth-pop and funk signals the album's strength in subtle but unmistakable ways. When Lange gets explicitly political, the lightness of his music complements the gravity of the issues he's discussing, allowing his words to slide into listeners' ears and linger. One of the album's much-loved singles, "It's My Brown Skin," telegraphs its resiliency and pride with its buoyant beat; another, "Young Latin & Proud," sings the praises of heritage and "knowing you will be you for the rest of your life." Lange explores the complicated politics of relationships with as much eloquence, whether on "Transmission Listen"'s joyous making up or "Runaround"'s strength in tenderness. While there are plenty of reminders of Lange's carefree side, Private Energy introduces pressing issues into his work in ways that feel genuine, and the results prove to be some of his most complete and complex music yet.
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