Philadelphia Inquirer
"... vocal powerhouse whose earthy, jazz-laced tunes stretch the boundaries of traditional singer/songwriter turf."

CNotes (Community Notes Internet Radio)
TOP 25 INDEPENDENT ARTISTS FOR 2005
23. Lili Anel- Hi-Octane Coffee

New York Times – Stephen Holden
“Lili Añel has an impressively rich, dark, folk-pop alto...Hearing her, one is bound to make comparisons with other similarly endowed singers...Añel possesses unusual power, fearless emotional directness, and a wide-open timbre. Her phrasing...incorporates a strong Caribbean influence...Añel has made her reputation as a pop singer and songwriter...[she] is a bundle of raw potential ready to be molded into a coherent recording personality.”

Long Island Press (NYC-Review of Hi-Octane Coffee. Rating: 9 out of 10)
“Much like Seattle was for grunge and Chicago is for the blues, early '80s Greenwich Village spawned a groundswell of singer-songwriters including Lucy Kaplansky, Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega and Cliff Eberhardt. Although less a folkie than a rocker, with her sophomore effort, it's clear Lili Añel should be included on this list of notable names. Aided by longtime collaborator J.B. Moore (best known for working with rapper Kurtis Blow), and blessed with a soulful croon reminiscent of Phoebe Snow or Joan Armatrading, Añel has cobbled together a dozen tales of love and heartbreak draped in a number of musical styles. Johnny Gale's sprightly guitar playing lends an Afrobeat snap to the uptempo "Down by the Water," while Añel's warning of potential disaster with another woman in "See My Way" is framed with a reggae beat and the irreconcilable differences at the heart of "Nothing in Common" are steeped in a Tori Amos-flavored arrangement. The best song is the Steely Dan-like funk of "Thin Line" with its infectious groove and the tasty leads of former Dan musical director Drew Zingg. With Hi-Octane Coffee, Lili Añel offers the kind of musical brew that's good to the last drop.”

Acoustic Musician Magazine
“Sometimes a fine voice is all it takes to grab a listener and hold on. When the songs are this good it just puts the icing on the cake. Añel”

Pop Sunday Newsletter – San Mateo, CA Trade Publ.
“There's always room in the pop pool for something new and novel. I'm specifically adverting to Lili Añel. Amid those spunky Beatlesque hooks and melodies she seasons her tunes with liberal inches of funk, jazz and folk...Blends an urgent rawness with an elegant professionalism...This CD never ceases to fascinate me!”

NY Daily News (Review of Performance - 25th Anniversary of Folk City, NYC)
“A Star is Born”

Steppin’ Out Magazine
“Laughed Last showcases her incredible voice, heartfelt lyrics and a variety of strong arrangements…In her music, Lili takes life’s painful realities, and mixes them with love, understanding and hope for the future.”

Cashbox
“Añel is a raw talent who sings and writes lyrically declaratory songs that put jazz and funk-tinged calypso into basic folk-pop structures…Extraordinarily artful…Expressive delivery…Impassioned vocals…Ready for prime time…Every indication says she’ll win big.”

New York Post
“Outstanding…Sings earthy and sweet.”

The Music Paper
“Believe me when I say Lili Añel is a real find…Lili sings with such raw need and lyrical grace that you know she doesn’t want to be hyped…Catch Lili live and you will see that she conjured up unexpected truths out of nowhere…Will touch your heart.”

Rhapsody Online - Chad Driscoll
"Singer-songwriter of Afro-Cuban heritage whose notoriety is spreading well beyond the Big Apple. Anel's deep but supple voice echoes Joni Mitchell's sweet-and-sad-as-honey-tears voice on Blue, but Anel's lyrics are life-affirming and hopeful."