Juanes has created such a unique, characteristic and personal style that it would be absolutely impossible not to recognize. The depth of that essence was revealed in 2000 with his debut solo album Fíjate Bien. Now the same Juanes is revealed and freshened up with Un Día Normal, a pleasant and positive album that reflects the artist’s spiritual growth.

With Fíjate Bien the awards and nominations rained down on Juanes: seven nominations and three awards (Artista Revelación, Best Rock Performer, Best Rock Song) at the Latin Grammys, a nomination in the Latin Rock category at the 44th Grammy Awards, and a nomination for “New Guitar Talent”, competing with Madonna, at the Gibson Awards.

After such tremendous success, neither fans nor critics can disguise the irresistable urge to hear the new material, which promises to be like it’s author- profound, deeply rooted, unique, philosophic... Totally passionate about music, sure of his sounds, humble about his success, and with a good sense of humor, Juanes spoke to us about his album on the phone from Miami, where he’s doing promotion. He also told us about his secret passion - the guitar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Un Día Normal.

Un Día Normal is an album that speaks of all my experiences from the time I wake up until I go to sleep... The song says something more or less like this: “Today the sun can burn out/ but not the light of my soul/ On a day like today I’m goin to walk more slowly/ because you never know what you have until you lose it.” So it’s a way of talking about a normal day, and that it’s really up to you to turn it into a special day. It’s like a more philosophic focus towards life... This album shows the side of my soul that Fíijate Bien does not.

Un Día Normal. A social album?

I believe that it’s more about life, though there is a song that’s called “La Historia de Juan” that has a social touch. It talks about the children of the street and how they are born, raised, live and die in the street. It’s a everyday reality in many places in the world. I believe that the majority of the songs are more focused on philosopy and love... On Fíjate Bien there were songs about love but love with a lot of pain. Now on this album there are songs about love and despair but there is more humor because I believe I had already overcome that stage, and what caused me pain yesterday now makes me laugh... The rest of the album moves between life and the spiritual, like “A Dios le Pido” which also has social elements in some ways...

Fíjate Bien vs Un Día Normal

This album has more light. Fíjate Bien is darker because of what was happening in my life. On Un Día Normal I’m coming out of that dark room. I opened the door, came out and found more light and another part of the world that I had never touched before. The music and composition are basically similar. I did the songs like I did before and recorded with the same system in Los Angeles... basically mixing elements of folklore and the popular Colombian and Latinamerican music with rock, elements of pop and R&B. How the success of Fíjate Bien influenced Un Día Normal ...The opportunity I had to travel, to see other countries and other people, cultures and ways of thinking, really opened my mind and gave me new perspectives on life... I believe that I took another risk because this album is not the same as Fíjate Bien. I could have done it the same because Fíjate Bien worked, but I don’t believe that that’s what it’s all about. It’s about always being honest. Through the music I was honest with what I was and what I was thinking.

With the release of Un Día Normal I ask God...

... for people to listen to it and understand it one day... Beyond selling or not selling I think that what’s most important is personal success because this is the album that I wanted and needed to make. When people hear it they will get honest music that comes directly from my soul. For me that’s the most important thing.

. . .