Mexico’s soundscape is a bubbling cauldron of rhythms in a never-ending cycle of evolution. This complex flavor answers to the blend of cultures and a breadth of vision, growing since pre-Columbian times into a colorful era, where everything goes.
Despite the massive spotlight on “Urban” and “Regional Mexicano” genres, there are still musical stronghold nesting projects which exude a contrasting façade of the mainstream Latin groove. Rebellious and defiant of global trends, chefs of spicy couture are the backbone of this fresh, sonic broth with new-fashioned ingredients, boiling at maximum heat. Dinner is served with these crisp dishes.
Son Rompe Pera
Hailing from the deep outskirts of Mexico City, cradle of the Sonidero and the energetic street flow, Son Rompe Pera has not only mastered the intoxicating bounce of the Cumbia, but also the nostalgic sound of the Marimba that our grandparents used to enjoy. This regional mallet instrument, which once was endemic of Southeast Mexico, is now tailored into a whimsical display of a hard and powerful fiesta.
Palmasur
Nowadays, Lo-Fi music is probably the only genre that can compete stream-wise with Reggaeton , due to the sheer amount of smooth playlists all around the metaverse. Palmasur understood that there was a niche to expose his creativity (and candidness) and took us by surprise with a particular style that incorporates atmospheres and sounds that you can listen to on a daily basis, in the streets of Mexico. Silky punchlines and muffled beats glue together this wonderful listening experience.
Alejandra Robles
Oaxaca and Guerrero are two Mexican states with an exquisite musical heritage. The Zapoteco sound and its big-band tenure can be as complex as the most memorable Classical anthems and Alejandra Robles continues to play a leading role on the development of this under-appreciated genre. Her husky and passionate voice reminds me of Toña la Negra or Olga Guillot, but as these two legends shined through Bolero and Son, Alejandra’s authenticity has shaken the very core of our nostalgic ancestry with her musical repertoire.
Karen y Los Remedios
Cumbia, Downtempo and a Lo-Fi concoction of synths can only scratch the surface of this two-person project. Karen sings effortlessly through the sinuous sonogram that Jiony paves with his state-of-the-art production skills. The project boasts a hypnotic mastering of the dark side of a decaffeinated Cumbia – slow, bouncy and somehow erotic. Karen y Los Remedios also explore the other side of the electronic vibe, where tempo is disregarded and replaced with a flavorful choice of dry percussions, and cosmic textures.
Los Cojolites
Hailing from the magical state of Veracruz, Los Cojolites is one of the few remaining bands responsible of keeping alive the spark of the Son Jarocho. In the vast landscape of Mexican regional subgenres, it’s almost impossible to produce a new song with the same spirit as the old classics. This happens everywhere, but this regional collective of poets has tamed the cadence of the small guitars, (jaranas) creating new geographical classics under an umbrella of tradition, devotion and expertise.