The Weekly Coos

I can’t deny that I became a fan of Ela Minus later than I expected, given that her sound is something I strongly gravitate toward. Fortunately, friendship is invaluable; through it, I was eventually introduced to her music. Although I may be listening with fresh ears, there’s no denying that her music is outstanding. As I explore her extensive discography as an independent artist and DJ, her major label debut, and now her follow-up, DÍA, I find myself becoming more of a fan. Her sound revolves around melancholy, employing sobering and somber beats to highlight the beautiful range of her velvety vocals. While it may sound slightly homogeneous to some, there’s more beneath the surface, especially when it reaches another level that goes beyond expectations. Her sound is becoming increasingly present among many who deliver similarly, yet the final delivery distinguishes her. Is it her bilingual nature? Or is there something more delicate synchronization between the vocals and production, where tones can coexist harmoniously within the same track? It’s the latter; this becomes evident the more you listen to her work, beautifully exemplified in her second album, DÍA.

Ela Minus is one of those artists I find exciting enough to come home and write about, which I’m sharing here. This isn’t just a review of her latest album; it’s a reflection from someone who can’t help but keep her music on repeat. She forms a foundational melancholy core that grounds the lyrical content, allowing contrasting notes to merge into this harmonious connection, as seen in tracks like “megapunk” and “el cielo no es de nadie” from her debut album. The clashes aren’t always as promising, however, as the latter half of “QQQQ” from DÍA feels too linear and one-dimensional compared to the symphonic and consistent nature of “Broken” and “Upwards.” She possesses a dynamism that aims to explore all it can without losing sight of the essence of her craft, even if sometimes the beat plays it safer than expected. That doesn’t faze me, as there’s more to the music than just the beat, and it’s redefined by how fantastic her presence is on a track. Now, I’m not suggesting that the music is perfect, but when you hear how great something like “dominique” from her debut is, with its tropical flair, it’s hard not to love what she delivers.

However, the consistency of production is not a drawback, as it remains more consistently intriguing than not. A part of me senses her Colombian roots surfacing, as some sounds evoke what is regularly heard in Colombia or Latin clubs. In her collaboration with DJ Python, where the highs come in the last two tracks, they seamlessly incorporate those sounds into the production—complete with shakers, horns, and more—though that reflects more of the past since DÍA feels like a progression toward maturity. This is evident in something like “Close” featuring Helado Negro, which in turn brings added definition to the other components. Yet, the first track of the collaboration EP carries a nice, glitchy influence; it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but Minus’s delivery adds more impact as she chants these lyrics ominously. It’s all about the synchronicity. She possesses a sense of electronic zeal that brings forth more unique extensions, which has always been clear since the beginning of her career. As she continues to express herself through new sonic avenues, we hear this in her fantastic new album DÍA and her DJ mixes, where the song-to-song transitions become increasingly apparent.

Ela Minus isn’t like many in her musical ecosphere; her peers waver in their production styles. She possesses a strong sense of self and worth reflected in her meticulously crafted works, which convey positivity and sadness. Her character and identity transcend the ordinary without caring about real-time criticism. She’s self-assured, and this confidence is evident in her compositions, which always feel untroubled. The music is fantastic, and the mixes are too. However, while I can urge you to explore her discography and indulge in solid Techno-Pop (a sub-genre that has since become something I listen to daily) and EDM, you ultimately hold the decision-making power; I hope her work makes your must-listen list.

Ela Minus is next up, just be sure you’re on that train when it gets moving with more force.