El Oso Guapo – Eucalyptus (2024)
While singer-songwriter El Oso Guapo’s music might lean toward vintage 90s alternative rock, there is a certain something that makes El Oso Guapo’s melodies unique. An eclectic blend of hard rock/metal with lighter alt-rock, intoxicating psychedelia and a mischievous jazziness, it’s fair to say the US-based musician has an experimental streak. For over 11 years, El Oso Guapo has turned heads internationally reaching far beyond his US borders; today, he reaches our ears with his single ‘Eucalyptus’.
Taken from his new EP Copium, ‘Eucalyptus’ sees a shift in El Oso Guapo’s style after his 2021 debut EP Dip Baby Dip. Honing his skills as a composer and songwriter, Copium is a psychedelic evolution from the rock-influenced Dip Baby Dip. From its title track’s soulful rush to ‘So Bad’, El Oso Guapo drags us back to the 70s with kaleidoscopic sophistication. But we are here to speak about ‘Eucalyptus’, even though I could write a ton about Copium.
Produced with Jeremy Miller, ‘Eucalyptus’ dips strongly to the sounds of Genesis and Phil Collins with an eclectic rock feeling; however, a soothing jazziness brings an off-kilter edge to the ton. Interestingly, while the track is a gentle sweep of sound, the smooth verses explode into a crushing force of alternative rock. It’s as if you are set adrift on a glassy sonic river – comfortable, warm and laidback – then the tumultuous waves ripple your boat before flowing away.
Known for his intricate blend of weighty themes with playful melodies, El Oso Guapo’s music has profound depth within its charming sounds. El Oso Guapo shares that “’Eucalyptus’ is about those trees you always see lining the California freeways…”, so you imagine it’s a moving melody about the beauty of nature; however, it’s not so simple. El Oso Guapo further shares, “…they’re beautiful but also unstable and hazardous – kind of like life itself.”
Sincere and serene with reflective honesty brushed along its tranquil tone, his rich vocals meld with dynamic instrumentation in the poignant ‘Eucalyptus’. If this is the focus track from Copium, I am eager to hear the rest of his EP. I recommend you do so too.
Find out more about El Oso Guapo on his Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustianablecurator
Listen to more rock music on The Other Side Reviews Rock playlist:
