Well, here’s a collaboration dreamed up in synth heaven: Puerto Rican duo Buscabulla and Brooklyn-based electronic artist Helado Negro (aka Roberto Carlos Lange) just combined their slinky, shimmery pop powers to release a joint track, titled “Frío.”
The musicians toured together last November, and by the sound of their new song, they were definitely vibing. “Frío” swirls all of their skills together: Buscabulla’s Raquel Berríos showcases her wispy vocals as she sings about feeling displaced in NYC’s cold winter. Between her fluttering whispers, Helado Negro chimes in with his low murmur, urging, “Primavera, vuelve.” Their voices wind in and out of each other, leading us somewhere between an ice storm and paradise. The song is a psychedelic interpretation of a lamento, or a grief song popular in Latin America, Berríos told us.
A few piercing, well-timed chords add texture to soft synths — a brilliant combination of Helado Negro’s futuristic glitch and Buscabulla’s mesmerizing etherealness that makes us so glad they’ve joined forces.
“We wanted to express that New York love/hate relationship of those born and raised in tropical climates — we are from Puerto Rico and Roberto is from Florida,” Berríos said. “We messed with some bachata and bolero undertones on [the] production, referencing what our Caribbean brothers and sisters blast out of their cars and bodega corners.”
Helado Negro has been touring all over the place after his last release, Private Energy. He just announced he’ll contribute music to Lives Through Magic, a collaborative album that will benefit victims of the Oakland Ghost Ship fire. Buscabulla is preparing to drop Buscabulla EP II, which will feature “Tártaro,” their recent tribute to Frankie Ruiz and one of Remezcla’s picks for 2016’s best songs.
Buscabulla’s EP II is out January 20. The duo also plays Queens’ Trans-Pecos on January 20, with an opening set from Barcelona-born producer NOIA. Enter to win a pair of tickets below: