Title song off Montañera’s new album is a meditative journey of self-discovery
Originally from Bogota, Colombia, María Mónica Gutiérrez (aka Montañera or “Mountainess”) began writing her new album as a way to explore her identity after a difficult move to London. The move left her feeling untethered and alone in a strange new place. The daunting 5,000 mile journey sparked the beginning of a change in her; a new understanding of herself as an artist; as a human being. Throughout the album Gutiérrez examines the immigrant’s experience through a rich sonic lens inspired by sources as disparate as traditional Colombian and Senegalese music, contemporary ambient and experimental production, and whalesong from the depths of the Atlantic.
I’ll admit best nike running shoes, I don’t usually go for this kind of singer / songwriter type music. But there was something so compelling about the composition. The instrumentation mixes traditional strings with a electronic bassline and topped with María’s inspired vocal track creates an arrangement that is very unique. It’s experimental, but in a very refined way. And at a time when Latin music is expected to have strong and danceable beats, Montañera takes us in a more beat-less direction.
When talking about the title track off of her new album, A Flor de Piel, María says “[This track was] inspired by Japanese traditional sounds (like the koto) and deep bass lines. It’s a song that talks about how to make my heart a little lighter; I know that inside of me I can be light as the mist in the heat, I can be as fragile as the song of a sparrow, however, I still need to get born into this…”
Listen to “A Flor de Piel” below and grab a copy of the 9-track album on Bandcamp now.
