The Singles Jukebox

Pop, to two decimal places.

María Del Pilar – Original Dreamers

From Ian, a north star shooting across the night sky…


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[6.83]

Ian Lefkowitz: Los Abandoned should have had more national attention, but while Van Nuys might be very nice, it doesn’t have the selling power of Orange County. Now a decade into a solo career, María del Pilar continues to explore the meaning of being an Angeleno and an American with a tribute to her mother’s generation and a plea for humanity in an inhuman time. In keeping with her Chilean heritage, the song gives off a late ’70s disco vibe, lending the subject matter the air of pleasant science fiction, one of a world where the decision to search for a better life is worthy of respect. The song asks us to consider a time when our very right to existence isn’t questioned, and “without shame we say our names.”
[8]

Will Adams: “Look at all the dreamers like us” could be just another paean to fame-chasing life in Los Angeles, just like everyone has done before; so could the sun-streaked guitars and disco foundation. But María Del Pilar goes further, injecting pertinent political meaning in a way that’s both affecting and uplifting.
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Joshua Minsoo Kim: My parents immigrated to the United States from South Korea when they were 18. I remember in high school, my dad invoked Psalm 127 to explain that he came to America so his future children could lead fruitful lives; we were arrows that he and my mother shot into the air, going farther in life than they could imagine for their own. At 26, I’m not particularly convinced I’ll ever be half the person my parents are, but a song like this encourages me to continue trying, and to continue pursuing bigger dreams. I’m not fond of much of the vocalizing here, and find some of the lyrics to be too simplistic, but the sentiment rings loud and clear; if “Original Dreamers” were stripped down to just its backing instrumentation and featured minimal singing, I’d be more on board. Still, songs like this — regardless of quality — are always nice to hear.
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Alfred Soto: It’s downhill after that disco-not-disco opening, but María Del Pilar shows one of the innumerable ways in which ethereality can have a pulse.
[7]

Katherine St Asaph: Spacey, winningly earnest disco, all the more impressive after five years of making me dread the word. Either one minute too long or four minutes too short.
[7]

Nortey Dowuona: Motionless synths ride block, dribbling drums before being swamped with plush synths and cartwheeling guitars as Maria leaps up to pull the lever and let out the rabid beagles while the Dreamers made their way back home.
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