Agarrando Vuelo

Drawing inspiration from the magical guitars of banda's most skilled practitioners, Agarrando Vuelo is certainly an unexpected debut album, especially from an enthusiastic young group. Even smiling their way through a whimsical corrido like "El Gio", Cuerda Elegante play with a beyond-their-years sophistication, and those same ravishingly well-crafted melodies help elevate "La Caravana" beyond just another tearful ballad. But while supple musicianship is central to the band's appeal, "El Aretito" also proves that Cuerda Elegante can ditch the poise when it's time to party.