It opens with charango, the lute-like instrument that is to Andean folk music what water is to fish. But then the power of rawk kicks in. New single “Libres y Estupidos” from Camila Moreno sees the Chilean singer-songwriter embrace her inner Sonic Youth in a marked shift away from the melodic, at-times introspective sound that has often characterized her sound. With a voice that at its most delicate is somewhat reminiscent of a Spanish-language Beth Gibbons (Portishead), Camila has previously channeled the folk currents of regional traditions with a more contemporary alt-guitar style to become one of Chile’s most successful recent artists. But the first single of new album Mala Madre (release date TBA), suggests a new direction, one that overlays the distinctive Violeta Parra influences with fuzzy bass, pounding drums and–oh yes–feedback.
In the meantime, here’s the new (video-less) single. 2015 should be a good year for Camila.