Silencio

Described by their record label as ‘blending cumbia and existentialism,’ this is the first full album from Ana Karen G Barajas, Jonathan Muriel (Jiony) and guitarist Guillermo Berbeyer (Z.A.M.P.A.). Together, they have previously released two EPs and numerous recordings individually. Barajas is an artist and arts and social sciences researcher; all three have worked for some years in Mexico's alternative music scene. Silencio is a highly eclectic and enjoyable release of electronic music with elements of trip-hop, techno and traditional Latin music, especially variations of cumbia. Barajas has an engagingly wistful voice and the music has a dreamy, almost mystical quality. It was written during the pandemic, reflecting a period of introspection in which the musicians were contemplating their vulnerability, evident on the loneliness evoked by the title track. An imaginative and thought-provoking release.