By José Gandue @spinning zone
For my culture I will fight against the border
Every time I have the opportunity to point out on my own what I see in the present and possible future of music, in Latin America and in the rest of the world, I remember the conversation I had with an Argentinian friend who told me that «"The most interesting things happening right now are being done by women and sexual dissidents.". And although the mainstream It still doesn't recognize it as it should be (and therefore the audience hasn't yet assimilated it in the desired way), but luckily we have wonderful examples every day that confirm our assertion. And perhaps the explanation for this factor is that, after all this time of only listening to the male side of the cultural industry (with notable exceptions that we will mention another day), It is clear that those who have the most to exclaim and express their point of view of reality, in order to complete the whole spectrum, are them (and they). And I know that, at this point, it might be upsetting for me to assert that all of this is politics, and I justify it by saying that every reaction to what some call the Establishment has a political discourse, whether we like it or not. The dominant sectors (oh, friend, this just got a bit too revolutionary) have always proclaimed the one-dimensionality of discourse, of taste, of sex, of priorities, of race, of power, of feeling. And now it's really scary that this whole scheme is falling apart.
We're back with this same old song and dance, starting with the release of Malagría, the new album from the Mexican/American artist residing in Los Angeles Fabi Reyna, and her musical project Reyna Tropical. At the forefront we have an album of twenty tracks, including songs, dialogues, monologues and samples, which reflect, in their own way, what the artist herself calls «the sound of the tropical diaspora.". This compilation It brings together sounds inspired by the folklore of Congo, Colombia, Peru and Mexico, plus the use of samplers and digital controllers and the sum of this woman's excellent guitar playing. In her lyrics, written in both Spanish and English, she addresses themes including queer love, female sensuality, and the transformative power of intentional relationships with the land. The artist herself notes that this album highlights often-marginalized narratives. «"and offers them a sonorous homeland.".
Formed in 2016, Reyna Tropical began as an organic and gradual exchange between Reyna and Nectali “Sumohair” Diaz, who met during a series of workshops for emerging musicians. The band formed when she was immersed full-time in She Shreds, The world's first magazine dedicated to non-binary women and guitarists, with a deep interest in working towards creative liberation and a return to their musical roots. In 2018, they released their self-titled EP, which was praised by specialized media, attracting a growing audience. They were invited as the opening act on Bomba Estéreo's tour of the United States. and they participated in major festivals, including SXSW. Then in 2019 they released another EP, Sun and Rain, created and recorded during an extended stay in Colombia. Diaz's death in 2022 meant that the project was developed exclusively by Reyna.
Malagría, which premiered in its entirety a few weeks ago, It is an album that, amidst its moments of leisure, invites dancing, passion, and, incidentally, the recognition of folkloric textures from this side of the planet in a format that presents itself as global and contemporary. It cannot fall into the category of «world music» as understood in commercial media: This is the recovery of traditional warps and the addition of modern elements, so that the whole can be heard without prejudice, and with an open mind, by a varied and broad audience. The best moments? The first thing that comes to mind is Ancestral Connection, a kind of tropical trip, inviting intimate body swaying and whose lyrics can almost be a summary of what was said throughout the recording:
There, looking at the sea
I'm lost
Communicating with water
Understanding
I will return
Reconnecting
For my culture I will fight against the border
Other memorable moments include Cartagena (a beautiful calypso that can be used to create our own personal beach of mental rest), I'm sorry (another tropical-flavored piece that incorporates a brilliant string performance) and Huitzilin (a perfect ending, a combination of nostalgia and subtle herbs by the beach, with a very particular vocal combination).
This album is fresh, moving, and definitely refreshing. Avoid clichés and rejuvenate the lessons inherited from the past. Reyna Tropical has a lot to say, and she says it with the tenderness of a well-intentioned plea and the force of a new wave that occupies its rightful place. A production you can't miss.
