Rating: 7.5/10
Natalia Lafourcade is one of a kind. With 17 Latin Grammys and four Grammy Awards, she is one of the most decorated Latin female artists. The beloved musician from Mexico continues to display her artistry, passion and pride for her country in her newest album, “Cancionera.”
Following her critically acclaimed 2022 album, “De Todas las Flores,” Lafourcadeʼs new record is more playful. Adopting an alter ego for this record, she creates a much freer sound.
“Cancionera makes you create,” Lafourcade said in an interview with USA Today. “She’s very much like, ‘Let’s play, let’s create, and let’s not think too much about it.’ That was the way we were making the music … the energy of creating that way was really something special.”
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The record opens with “Apertura Cancionera,” which is a theatrical instrumental track. Birds chirp in the background as strings accompany a delicate piano. The introduction of a soft and sweet flute, coupled with the pride of a horn, makes for delicious tension. The track is fun and dramatic, allowing listeners to glimpse the rest of the album.
The title track of this record, “Cancionera,” allows Lafourcade to lead vocally until a groove is eventually found. The guitars become more rhythmic and are joined by more strings. Lafourcade showcases the power of songwriting and how it can encapsulate so many different feelings. She sings of the moon, the sea and of loneliness, all of which are themes of this album.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Lafourcade discusses how this track in particular allows Lafourcade to honor the “…surrealism of Mexico and the values of our tradition and iconography. I wanted to honor the songs and the path of the cancioneras and cancioneros of life.”
“Cocos en la Playa” pays homage to ideas of fun and playfulness. She sings of the beautiful beaches of Mexico, where one is meant to leave behind the stresses of life and enjoy the scenery. With percussion and horns that beg listeners to get up and dance, this track makes for a wonderful listening experience.
There is a sharp change in sound as the album ushers listeners into “Como Quisiera Quererte.” Lafourcade’s voice is powerful in this song. She is accompanied by El David Aguilar, whose lower register voice pairs nicely with Lafourcade. This track is reminiscent of the soft and passionate sounds of “De Todas las Flores.”
The record returns to being more guitar-forward, as the singers are full of longing and desire. They wish to love someone who is no longer in their life, begging the wind to swiftly take away any and all pain. The closing lyrics, “How I wish I could love you/ The way I long to love you,” encapsulate the track perfectly. Lafourcade’s love of her country can be reflected in a trio of songs: “El Palomo y La Negra,” “Cariñito de Acapulco” and “La Bruja – Versión Cancionera.”
When Lafourcade spoke with the AP about her influences for this record, she pointed to the everyday life of Mexico.
“I love the markets and the streets; I love its nights,” Lafourcade said. “I love its clandestine spaces and its characters … Mexico is full of beautiful things. Strong things, dark things and luminous things. There’s so much duality. It’s all reflected in the lyrics, in the music.”
When looking at these three tracks, “El Palomo y La Negra” is a standout. The track speaks of love destined between two people who found their way to each other.
The atmosphere created by Lafourcade paints a scene of a traditional Mexican wedding. There are cheers, clappings, mentions of tequila and a choir of people singing in celebration for the newlyweds. Images of people dancing fill the listener’s mind as the track creates a call and response between Lafourcade and listeners.
In a similar fashion to its opening track, the record closes with another instrumental. “Lágrimas Cancioneras” roughly translates to cries of a singing woman. The piece starts off small and builds in intensity, almost mimicking the deep wails of sorrowful tears. A piercing, high-pitched violin breaks up the song and takes us to its most intense part until the sweetness of horns, strings and a piano guide listeners out.
“Cancionera” is yet another well-executed record in Lafourcade’s musical repertoire. Despite its length, listeners can find a bit of everything on the album. Whether that be instrumental music or a reminder of culture, Lafourcade cements herself as one of the greatest composers and lyricists of her time.
