Jackie Mendoza - “Mousetrap”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…La Doña, Gingerlys, Lola Marsh

Based off recent singles “Mousetrap” and “Let’s Get Maui’d”, Jackie Mendoza remains an experimental artist performing over creative, multi-melody beats. Whether more trap leaning or over darker rock tones, Mendoza is able to transcend genre in her music by crafting a hypnotic stew and avoiding traditional A/B/A-type songwriting for something more psychedelic and future-facing. Both songs are part of Mendoza’s upcoming debut full-length Galaxia de Emociones, released just today. While spaced out, there are some catchy moments like the fun hooks of “Let’s Get Maui’d”, punching even when accompanied by hazy beach-pop synths. Jackie Mendoza showcases Thursday night at Speakeasy for ZZK Records. (Kevin McStravick)

2019 Review: One reviewer dubbed Jackie Mendoza’s music “bedroom-tronic” because she creates quirky, intimate electronic pop, sung in English and Spanish, with sophisticated sonic elements often set to underlying Latin beats. For example, Mendoza’s collaboration with Coastal, “La Luz,” combines ukulele and breezy vocals with Latin-inspired percussion and a sparse piano line. Some of her songs hew closer to a singer songwriter format such as “Closer,” which leans even more heavily on ukulele strumming.  “Islands”, this reviewer’s favorite, focuses on her voice and lyrics with the electronica serving as an airy base.