Wild West, single by Iluka. At first, you think it is country, given the title and her cover photo on a horse, and her perfect-for-country voice, but think again. Iluka is not from Austin, but from Australia, and her lyrics are an anthem to girl power, even when her voice says Cowgirl. Tap your feet and listen to the words. Stram on major platforms
Soy Fan, single by RIA. She’s a 25-year-old singer from Baja California who’s emerging as a new female voice in regional Mexicano and corridos. Musically, this song lies in a warm regional Mexicano palette built around trumpet accents, tuba pulse, and intimate guitar that features Spanish-style picking. Soy Fan is a love song, but about a mature love –fan love, not head over heels. RIA is aiming for something that feels both current and slightly timeless in Soy Fan, and she achieves it. Stream on Spotify. Spanish.
I Can Feel the Waves, single/video by Francis Chang. Spare, almost nothingness, raw with a single piano note intruding here, then there over the scaffolding. Chage is a brilliant composer and performer. Her piano, augmented later by violins and her soft, knowing voice. A beautiful combination. Stream on major platforms.
Cuando Una Mujer , single by Mariángela. Mariángela is one of my favorite Music Sin Fronteras artists. A young Mexican singer-songwriter from Monterrey, Nuevo León (which has a terrific alt-rock/rock scene), with strong jarocha roots and a life shaped between Mexico and Texas. Very enjoyable. Stream on major platforms. Spanish.
If You Ever Change Your Mind, single by New Old Blues. An original song (not an Ella Fitzgerald cover). The lead singer (the band keeps its members anonymous) brings an urgency and deep hurt to this bluesy breakup ballad with lines “love like this don’t vanish, it just hides for a while”. A pleasure to listen to and a tribute to why the blues just won’t go away. Stream on major platforms
El Amor Es Su Vida, by Gropo Frontera. A deeply emotional Norteña ballad about wanting your departed love to be happy with her new love, but being devastated at the same time. The hook, seeing “the love of my life” kissing “the love of her life” (Tan Feliz, como nunca, besando al amor de su de vida) plumbs depths that Norteña does so well in its long tradition of treating love and heartbreak in a vulnerable, even poetic way. Good example of heartbreak Norteña. Good listening, good feeling. Stream on major platforms. Spanish.
