Artwork by Andrei Bouzikov
He could have released an album as a solo artist.
He could have released an album of songs based on his Instagram live concerts which he performed almost every night for months during his appearance on American Idol.
He could have released an album of Scarypoolparty’s music recorded before his appearance on American Idol.
He could have released an album of just piano or just guitar.
He could have released a new age album of his euphoric, ethereal music.
He could have released an album appealing to his jazz fans, or his classical musical fans, or his rock fans.
He could have even released an album of covers.
Do you see where I’m going with this? Alejandro Aranda aka Scarypoolparty could have released a plethora of different albums containing a variety of genres and styles, each one appealing to a different audience which he has accumulated over the past 9 months of his worldwide splash into our lives.
I wasn’t sure what he would do, but I knew I would trust him to release his first album based on his own choice. We all know he made that perfectly clear to the producers of American Idol before he decided to join a show which typically was, as Katy Perry said, “…mostly a Karaoke show.” He would only join the show if was allowed to perform his own music in place of covers typically used on all the reality music competition TV shows.
His sold out summer tour which we experienced after his participation on Idol was an acoustic concert tour filled with songs familiar to our ears, as well as with other acoustic gems like “Falling Down,” “I’m Not Going to Fall in Love with You Tonight,” “Poison,” “Fading Away” and so many others which he performed at various shows during his summer acoustic tour. There were several songs which he performed only once during the summer that I thought for sure would be on his first album release.
He promised us during his acoustic summer concerts that the fall tour backed by the full would be loud, wild and bombastic. He was correct. He startled many of the concert goers who were only familiar with his performances on American Idol. Many were asking “what happened to our humble homie?” I for one knew about his previously recorded work as Scarypoolparty. I was not surprised, nor were many of his true fans who had been ravenously perusing the internet on SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, Spotify and any music site which we could find that carried his music. We were his true believers. We knew that he would surprise us with something new and unique.
He could have tried to please the audience which he amassed during Idol - those who watched the show each week religiously just to see him. Those who listened to him every night on Instagram awaiting an evening of raw emotion including his tears and sobbing which touched each and every one of us. Those who just wanted another acoustic American Idol who would be satisfying to its viewers, but disappoint the critics, the radio stations, the music buyers and the world.
He could have, but he didn’t.
Alejandro wanted to introduce us to Scarypoolparty. A group consisting of Alejandro Aranda, Darren King (drums), Maxx Diaz (bass), TJ Routon (guitar), Mixed by Neal Pogue, Mastered by Mike Bozzi and co-written and produced by TJ Routon, Sawyr and George Lewis Jr. aka Twin Shadow.
He wanted us to take a journey into a total package of his creation which begins as an homage to one of his icons, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and soundtrack composer including the Academy Award winning “Social Network” as well as “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “Gone Girl” and “Man on Fire.” It includes six single compositions (“Ten Years,” “Out Loud,” “Tonight,” “Cholo Love,” “DIAMONDS” and his new release “Millennial Love.”)
Let’s take that journey through Scarypoolparty’s EXIT FORM together.
It begins at twilight with a walk through a garden gate which leads into an open meadow green with lush trees and sparkling starlight. We can feel the breeze begin to surround us with its intensity. Immediately we are thrust into a passionate fervor of thunder and lightning. We see the silhouette of a Black Cross in front of us as we stand in awe of its sudden impact. The stars become fairies buzzing around inside our head. The power of the Black Cross encompasses us in its rapture…. then just as quickly we are captured by the sound of thunder. It fades into the distance and the sounds of fanciful fairy’s wings fade into the night.
The stars become glimmering DIAMONDS while the cries of the forest animals surround us. “I know, I know I can feel it.” The howl of Scarypoolparty’s cry for redemption fills our ears as we Dance the Night Away.
Thus begins the journey into Scarypoolparty’s first album entitled EXIT FORM. It is a trip through raw emotion and genius production.
Each song leads us into the next through the multi-faceted talent of Scarypoolparty led by the prodigious writing and euphoric vocals of Alejandro Aranda accompanied by his powerful band.
My personal favorites which he first recorded prior to his appearance on American Idol are reworked here – “Vampire Shade,” “Beneath the Skin” (previously entitled “Alone”) and “Heartstorm” (previously entitled “Cheater). American Idol favorites include “Millennial Love,” “10 Years,” “Tonight” and two of the songs which he performed during his viral audition - “Cholo Love” and “Out Loud.” What’s NOT included on EXIT FORM, to my surprise, is “Poison,” “Something Real,” “Fading Away,” “Dissonant Harmony,” “No Puedo Vivir sin Ti” and “Sun Stop Rising.” I had been anticipating the completion of two of my very favorite “mini-songs” which he had released earlier, “I Wish I Was Something,” “Hey Mama” and any one of those beautiful IG compositions which have been captured on YouTube with ethereal videos by Jim Aldrich. I pray that one day he will include these amazing compositions on future albums which literally changed my life.
He could have released an album to please just me or any one of his millions of fans. But he didn’t. He released an album which he wanted the entire world to hear. He released an album which the critics have already called “Sonically Expansive” (Shore Fire Media), “Mindblowing” (Album of the Year), “a very ambitious trip through EDM, industrial, metal and rock.” (MJSBIGBLOG), “grimy, industrial and… punch-in-your-face vibe…. There’s no bad song in here for it is properly crafted with a lot of musical theory.” (Allmusic) and “Exit Form is the album the world was expecting and more, so with this, let the legacy of Scarypoolparty truly begin.”(onestowatch),
Scarypoolparty features collaborators including George Lewis Jr aka Twin Shadow, Darren King (Twenty One Pilots, Mutemath), Sawyr (Zayn, Taylor Swift), Neal H. Pogue (Travis Barker, AWOLNATION) and GRAMMY-winner Mike Bozzi (Post Malone, Mac Miller). The album contains three different collections of songs - the new power house anthems which reflect Alejandro's homage to Trent Reznor, the reworked compositions recorded before his appearance on American Idol, and the songs which he performed on Idol, remastered, reworked and reimagined.
EXIT FORM attacks us with raw alternative almost electro-industrial rock harshness of a thunderstorm (“Black Cross”, “DIAMONDS”, “Dance The Night Away”, “Vampire Shade”, “Beneath The Skin,” “True Religion,” “ Heart Storm”). It then brings us into the warmth of a familiar fire (“Millennial Love,” “10 Years (remastered),” “Tonight,” “Cholo Love”), and finally dries us off with an exquisite fluffy towel (“Out Loud (remastered)”).
“’Black Cross’: Transition from the melodic orchestral about 1 min in is jolting… but in a good way. This brash juxtaposition is reflexive of his emotional state as later revealed by the lyrics. After this at times the beat behind the music, reflecting a human heart, seems to be missing a final beat. At around 4:50 we are given a moment of repose only to return to a crescendo of music. The tranquil conclusion conjures that somehow some kind of peace has been made behind the madness of his passion. ‘Diamonds’: Drowning dominance of bass. Primal beats reflexive of his burning desire. A longing lust that hits the listener in waves. The crests of his beckoning cry as sent to her shores longing to draw her back in the dangerous undertow of passion. The tranquil end reveals that this happened. 'Dance the night away’: His longing is simple and sweet… to dance the night away. The more melodic tone seems that now that he has his lover, he wants to embrace and be consumed by their presence.” (Andy Galloway, MFA Documentary Studies and Production, Manages Andy docs, Associate Professor, History at Dallas County Community College District)
Scarypoolparty’s first release is a journey through the amazing virtuosity of Alejandro’s musical influences of classical, jazz, electronic and acoustic. Each song highlights his amazing talents of singing, piano and guitar as well as letting us inside Alejandro’s head of production and drama. His broad spectrum of musical genres as well as his unique styles has captured the attention of the world of music lovers.
This album shines as a debut introduction into the fullness of Alejandro Aranda’s future. Many seasoned musicians could only hope to ever release such a masterpiece. Scarypoolparty’s promise for the amazing journey to come can only be described as a pathway paved with gold.
Credits: Written by Alejandro Aranda & TJ Routon (except track 10 & track 12). Produced by Scarypoolparty & Sawyr (except track 10 & track 12), “Tonight” written and produced by Alejandro Aranda & George Lewis Jr., “Out Loud” Written & Produced by Alejandro Aranda, Drums by Darren King, Bass by Maxx Diaz, Mixed by Neal Pogue, Mastered by Mike Bozzi
‘EXIT FORM’ TRACK LIST:
1. Black Cross
2. DIAMONDS
3. Dance The Night Away
4. Vampire Shade
5. Beneath The Skin
6. True Religion
7. Heart Storm
8. Millennial Love
9. 10 Years (remastered)
10. Tonight
11. Cholo Love
12. Out Loud (remastered)
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