La Yarará

In the press release to her second album Malena Zavala explains her desire to explore and overcome her identity issues, and about not knowing where she belongs. Born in Argentina to Italian parents, the family moved to Hertfordshire in the English Home Counties when she was young.

Her songs reflect Latin music and culture with splashes of cumbia, reggaeton, Afro-Cuban, Afro-funk, Andean folk, Argentinian folk and bolero-son, and they are sung in a mixture of Spanish and English. However, the album also dips into thoroughly contemporary and slightly sultry electro-pop – like an Anglophonic and less angst-ridden Angel Olsen. The English language songs are engaging and the lyrics intelligent, particularly as she challenges her cultural dilemma on the song ‘Identity’. The Latin songs, as we might expect, are mostly upbeat; and they are quirky and catchy. A well produced and expertly performed recording of self-exploration that effortlessly swings between lively and contemplative moods.