Analog Adventures – Musas Vol. 1
Natalia Lafourcade
Musas Vol. 1
(2017)
About the Artist
Natalia Lafourcade is a popular Mexican musician and actress who has enjoyed success since the early 2000s. She is from a family of musicians and carries on the family business. Her early work consists mostly of bossa nova and a pivot to rock music. She enjoys a great deal of respect and success in Latin America, receiving five Grammy nominations and winning one. Additionally, Lafourcade also found success singing on the soundtrack for Disney Pixar’s Coco. She sings the remix of the movies main song Remember Me in English and Spanish. Lafourcade’s distinct singing voice and studied songwriting is the combination that creates her success. But her last two albums Musas Vol. 1 & 2 are the result of collaboration with the folk duo Los Macorinos. The transition to folk is just the latest stop on the versatile artists musical journey.
The Record Itself
The full title of the album is Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos de Los Macorinos) Vol. 1. Translated this means “an homage to Latin American folklore through the hands of Los Macorinos”. The album consists of recordings of Latin American music, original and traditional. The album covers a wide range of genres from bossa nova, cumbia, and boleros that inspire singing along and dancing to the music. Not every song is a cover though, Mi Tierra Vercruzana is an original song about Lafourcade’s hometown of Veracruz.
Authenticity is felt through every song, making Musas sound more than just a soulless collection of imitation folk music. The recording process and quality give the impression that the songs were recorded live with minimal post editing. Songs are clean and not over-polished, they feel real and organic. This record feels like a concert record sans the audience. Every official music video for singles off of Musas features a live performance that is slightly different than the studio recording. The video for Tu SÃ Sabes Quererme features an improvised percussion and chorus from the audience reminiscent of a street performance.
Musas saw a release in Latin America but not the United States. Importing records can be a bit of a hassle with customs, this writer once having a record from Chile held in customs for over a month. This hassle is worth it for a good copy of a beautiful record. Musas weighs in at a healthy 180 grams, has a matte cover, and a simple sleeve design. The copy reviewed was new, and surprisingly the download code work despite being outside of the Latin American region. The art is simple yet beautiful; a title adorned by simple colors that guides the listener to just enjoy the music.
The rear cover of the record.
Is It Worth It?
The best record collections are diverse ones. Having records from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America is a critical part of owning a diverse record collection, but importing records can be tricky. Finding a copy of Musas from an American seller requires patience and may cost a premium, but this record is absolutely worth the price. A hauntingly beautiful and personal record that is illuminated by its source material. The source is the people and traditions of Latin America, a region long forgot and written off as an afterthought. Natalia Lafourcade crafts a beautiful record from a history steeped in pain and love to create an experience that is the totality of the Mexican experience.
Outstanding Tracks
- Tu Si Sabes Quererme
- Soledad y El Mar
- Que He Sacado Con Quererte
