Angélica Garcia - “Llorona”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Tune-Yards, Lido Pimienta, Jain

Angélica Garcia’s music always feels like it’s ten steps ahead and 2021 EP Echo Eléctrico is quite the example, a completely a cappella record featuring looped and layered vocals with genre wholly being a term of the past. Sometimes ethereal and others hard-hitting, Garcia takes a simple idea and blasts it with creativity, a quality she’s maintained her entire career including 2020’s excellent full-length Cha Cha Palace. There’s rarely a moment that Garcia’s music is short of fascinating, an artist that twists pop and Latin music expectations into something that is, well, just better. Garcia is a must-see artist come SXSW 2022 and don’t try to predict whatever may be next for this necessary artist. (Kevin McStravick)

2020 Review: Grooving, off-kilter rhythms and melodies define Angelica Garcia’s excellent recent material, fusion pop loaded with infectious, rooted hooks. Her latest is “Jícama", a reflection on Mexican and American identities intermingling, smartly matching lyrics and musical direction both in theme and progression. The California-based artist continues to show growth from her folk to alt rock roots, building with a “yes and” attitude and poignant, thoughtful and energized songwriting.

2018 Review: If 2018 single “Karma the Knife” is a guidepost of where Angelica Garcia is heading next, the former chamber folk/indie pop artist is about to take a sharp left turn. A percussive bop, “Karma the Knife” is playful and pointed, more punk and hip hop than pastoral, Laurel Canyon airs. It’s one of the more infectious tracks from the early SXSW announced artists, layered, danceable roots grooves overflowing with personality.