Negrø - “El Pasado”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…Y La Bamba, DRIMS, Sebastián Romero

Negrø’s music is deceptively traditional, steeped in classic Latin rock and Mexican folk traditions forming the basis of his early singles and 2018 EP Bajar Avión, but it’s the jangly, psychedelic pop forms that seep into Negrø’s sound that make him stand out beyond being just throwback artist. A 60s-type pop ballad like “Quiero” becomes a spaced-out echo at moments while recent single “El Pasado” is like a Mariachi dream but recorded with hints of minimal garage rock production. It’s a sound concurrently new and familiar, a great way of exploring Mexican folk music alongside an artist willing to stretch a seemingly unbendable form. (Kevin McStravick)