Música en Español!

People naturally appreciate items that give them comfort. Whether it be a blanket that is the right texture and size, or a song that fits any mood, we all have things that make us feel safe, warm, and comfortable. In this hectic time, these items are treasured as COVID-19 fears remain in many of our minds on the daily. Two of my personal favorite comfort acts are curating a playlist and cooking Mexican food.

Growing up Chicana has always been an integral part of my upbringing. Being away from my home in Southern California has made me nostalgic for home cooked Mexican meals and listening to latinx music in my kitchen. As a result, I’ve been calling my mom at least four times a week to get her recipes and exploring new latinx artists. In this enterprise I decided to curate a playlist with the hopes that Spotify would recommend a new algorithm that included a diversity in language. The results were amazing. Not only have I discovered new artists, I have also reconnected with my culture. 

A special shout out must be given to my younger cousin Daniel who sent me down the rabbithole of alt-Mexican bands a couple of summers ago. Daniel lives in Mexico City and introduced me to the band Little Jesus. Little Jesus is also from Mexico City—also referred to as CDMX. This band, along with others, opened up a new door in Latin American music that was much needed for my ears and playlist archives. As you check out this playlist, enjoy falling down the rabbithole as well!

1. “La Magia”- Little Jesus

“Si no tenemos nada, siempre podemos aportar/Yo las canciones y tú la magia” or, “If we don’t have anything, we can still always provide/I’ll bring the songs and you bring the magic.”

I might be biased when I say that romance in Spanish sounds 100x more romantic than in English. The lyrics reflect a sentiment of how brief a moment in time can be, and the anxiety that comes when rushing towards an unknown venture in life. Little Jesus is an essential band in those stages of life where you need an uplifting song that makes you feel young, stupid, but excited.

2. “¿Qué Nos Pasó?- DRIMS

DRIMS is a band that started in 2016 the classic way: teenagers jamming after school. Their hit “¿Qué Nos Pasó?” talks about being broken hearted and thinking about the inevitable question: que nos paso, or, what happened to us? It also talks about the feeling of being broken for a month, but being firm in not going back to someone who hurt them. The guitar in this song is incredibly crisp and cavorts around with the drums, providing a very danceable background for even better lyrics. 

“¿Y qué nos pasó?/Si anoche nos queríamos un montón,” or, “And what happened to us?/Last night we loved each other so much.” 

3. “Love”- La Garfield 

La Garfield has one of my all-time top 20 beginnings of a song. It starts off very jazzy and tame, but brings a delightful element with saxophones, trumpets, and conga drums. La Garfield hails from Guadalajara and started creating music in 2013. This song in particular is special because it features both Spanish and English lyrics. The lyrics talk about putting in the effort in a relationship, but being aware that it is most likely a waste of time; even if there is love and effort it will not prevail. Kind of depressing, but the instrumentation is fantastic. 

4. “Épocas”- CLUBZ 

CLUBZ originated in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon in Mexico. The duo contributes 80s energy and dance beats to this playlist. “Epocas” talks about a lover being unable to understand or truly see the other person for who they are.  While one is unable to see the other person, the other sees them for who they are: a person who cannot understand or change. 

“Amor, no vas a cambiar/Pasó lo mismo que ayer,” or, “Lover, you’re not going to change/The same thing happened yesterday.”

5. “Cariño”- The Marias

If you have not listened to The Marias you have been missing out on quite a gem. The duo is composed of Maria Real, who was born in Puerto Rico, and Josh Conway, from Los Angeles. Real’s voice is uniquely feminine and sweet, which fits in perfectly with the duo’s dreamy vibe. “Cariño” perfectly encapsulates romance and love in 4 minutes and 18 seconds. It’s the perfect song to add to your playlist dedicated to the person you love. 

“Eres una obra de arte/Con solo mirarte/Algo que da paz,” or, “You’re a work of art/Just by looking at you/Something that brings peace.” 

6. “Me Vale”- Maná

Enough with the heartbreak and love songs! Maná brings the headbangs and ska-esque beat with “Me Vale.”  Though Maná is in no way obscure, it is a staple to Mexican rock. From Guadalajara, Maná has broken numerous records and charts. This song in particular is a very proud “screw you!” to literally everyone. The lyrics fight back against gossipers, people who judge your music taste, people who judge your haircut…me vale! “Me vale” translates into many English phrases, such as, I could care less! Or, I don’t care! It’s a rebellion against the norm and against those who critique uniqueness and eccentric people. 

“¿Qué piensan mis padres de mi?/¿Qué piensan mis suegros de mi?/¿Qué piensa todo el mundo de mi?/Sólo tengo que decir/Me vale, me vale,” or, “What do my parents think of me?/What do my mother or father in law think of me?/What does the whole world think of me?/I only have one thing to say/I could care less! (me vale!).”

7. “Ha Sido”- Los Blenders 

Ah yes, Los Blenders. Listening to Los Blenders (from CDMX) alone at home satisfies the need to get pushed around in a mosh pit by 30 year old sweaty men, but without the men or risk of injury. For me, their style is reminiscent of Parquet Courts (another fantastic band). This just means a fast-paced, adrenaline inducing and head bang worthy band. Los Blenders is a gem that I’m glad I stumbled upon. I am also a huge fan of their cover art. Their newest single “Perdidos en Pantitlan” is also a must-listen and talks about the corruption and power-hungry police in Mexico, an unfortunate and very real structure of society that is identifiable even in the United States. 

“No somos nada/no hay presente, no hay mañana/no quiero ir a casa/quiero fingir que nada pasa,” or, “We are nothing/there is no present, there is no tomorrow/I don’t want to go home/I want to pretend that nothing is happening.”

8. “Tiernos”- Technicolor Fabrics

Another band from Guadalajara, Technicolor Fabrics is essential for closing out this playlist. Their sound reminds me of Capital Cities and Phoenix; all three bands feature a great keyboard sound. They incorporate romantic lyrics to their energetic sounds, which makes them a necessary playlist addition for road trips or silent discos. All of these bands deserve a stream and virtual support from fans who rely on their talent and musicianship for music therapy and happy-inducing energy. 

Article by Stephanie Enciso