Noel Aponte - Bittersweet

Noel Aponte

Bittersweet
​self-released; 2023

4.0 out of 5

By Dom Eagle

Bittersweet is the latest release from Noel Aponte. This talented singer/songwriter really hits it out of the ballpark with his opening song on the record, "I'll Be Dancing,” which lives up to the name. It's driven by a catchy beat, an earworm of a synth hook and tender vocal harmonies from Aponte. There's a feel-good, head-bopping, indie feel to this track. I love the vocal melody. There's an understated quality to Aponte's vocal performance, and that's what makes it shine -- it perfectly suits the laidback, ethereal style of the instrumental. This is a psychedelic, washed-out track with a catchy beat and funky instruments. It's dance music for chilled out people; the kids who stand in the corner at parties, too introverted to get involved, but desperate to move their bodies.

"Fleeting Love" takes a different musical approach.  It's a guitar-centric track, driven by a warm clean electric guitar progression, Aponte's heartfelt vocal melody -- delivered in a prominent, engaging lead hook with echoing, distant backing vocals providing an atmospheric blanket. It's dominated by another catchy electronic beat and twinkling synths, but I'd call this one more of a sad bop than the opener. "You say you want me around / But don't wanna be mine / 'Cause I'm a fool for you / I didn't see the signs.” In spite of lyrics such as that, the track still manages to bounce onwards in a dance-worthy fashion. That's a testament to Aponte's ability to turn sadness into something colorful and engaging. This describes his EP on the whole, really.

"Still Love You" is definitely one of the saddest tracks on the EP. It opens with a gorgeous synth-string progression, lacking the dance-ability of previous tracks on the record, but it delivers sadness in such a beautiful form of balladry. Catchy synths, somber electric guitar and a punchy electronic beat make it clear that this is still the same EP, but there's no head-bopping this time. Just a heartbreakingly-pretty song. Fantastic production work too. What a powerful penultimate track. And it leads into the equally heartbreaking outro, "I don't see you in my Dreams.” Aponte offers a stripped-back closer to this atmospheric indie-pop EP. A beautiful piano melody and delicate vocals. It's a glorious chord progression and a vibrant vocal melody delivered in such a breathtakingly powerful way. Aponte delivers his best vocal performance of the album on this closing track, and there's no doubt about that. You can tell this song was something powerful for him.

​What more can I say? I love this record. A brilliant EP, all in all. I can't wait to hear whatever Noel Aponte does next.

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