Herederos by Mariachi Herencia de Mexico. Mariachi like you have never Heard it before. A Chicago-based mariachi of 14 women and men led by 19-yer old Marco Villela, its music is a true fusion that ranges from traditional songs like “Fallesté Corazón” with La Mairsol, to love songs “Hay Unos Ojos” with Lupite Infante, to “Frank Sinatra” (not with Franck Sinatra, to “It’s Impossible” with full mariachi treatment. Stream on Spotify. Video on YouTube. Spanish and English.
Frontera, EP by Valarie Ponzio. Four songs that echo the El Paso borderlands she is from and showcase her country voice and spot-on songwriting in both the country and Latin genres. Full of hooks and pleasures, Frontera” signals that Ponzio is part of the emerging new generation of country that is taking the music into the future. Stream/download on all major platforms.
Unlie, single by Carlyn. This is heavy music that can be hypnotic. Carlyn is enormously talented and Unlie lays out her talent along with the temptation of doing what is morally wrong and enjoying it. The rap rhymes will force you to pay attention, the production will make you lose your way, and her voice will nail you to the wall. Stream/download on all major platforms.
The Blues Don’t Lie, album by Buddy Guy. What else can I say? It’s Buddy Guy and there ain’t no better blues. Sixteen get down, grab- your- your gut blues songs that don’t lie. And he brings in his friends Mavis Staples, Elvis Costello, James Taylor, Bobby Rush, Wendy Moten and Jason Isbell and Available on all major platforms.
Denim and Diamonds, album by Nikki Lane. Another country firecracker who combines classic country with traces of rock and blues and metal into a very satisfying blend that goes far beyond beer, and pickup trucks and broken hearts. And no wonder – he has brought on bandmates from Arctic Monkees and Queens of the Stone Age to make this unique. Stream/download on all major platforms. Purchase at Amazon and rough trade.
Fossora, album by Björk. If you are a Björk fan you will get it; if not you will learn, as millions have. There is no one like Björk and this album underscores that. Dense but airy; weird but seemingly normal, thought-provoking to be sure, but also fun. Stream/download on all major platforms.
Bonus: I Hate Memory, album by Eszter Balint
Patrick O’Heffernan
