Top Albums of 2023: Y La Bamba - Lucha

Y La Bamba is the most exciting band that I've come across this year! This indie band is led by the talented singer-songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos (vocals, guitar). The rest of the ensemble is made up of Julia Mendiolea (guitar, bass), Antonio Montanez (drums), Gordon Walters (bass), and Isabeau Waia'u Walker (vocals, percussion). This collective of musicians fuse together indie, folk, psychedelic, and Latin influences, creating a unique and mesmerizing sound.

Y La Bamba has had a steady music career since 2008, with Lucha being the band's sixth album. "Lucha" means fight or struggle when translated into English and is also a nickname for Luz. According to an interview with Monqui Presents, Mendoza Ramos explained the album's origins began during the COVID-19 shutdown and continued during the singer's relocation from Portland, OR, to Mexico City. The album explores their growth, both as a person and artist. The title is fitting not only since it is the nickname of the singer but also because the album delves into the complexities and struggles of Chicanx identity, queerness, toxic masculinity, and imposter syndrome.

Mendoza Ramos writes their music in Spanish and English, sometimes transitioning between them within the same song. I can't help but see this use of both languages as a way for them to showcase their view of the two worlds they inhabit as a Mexican-American, but that is my own interpretation of their songwriting.

The album's smooth and dreamy production adds an emotional depth to the songs that will leave you mesmerized. And let's talk about the vocals - the harmonizing is simply beautiful! The band makes good use of vocal layering that makes the singing hypnotizing.

Let's get into some of the tracks!

Eight

The album starts with a tender and sentimental introduction featuring gentle guitar strums and delicate piano keys. The harmonies on this track are exceptional, evoking a dreamy atmosphere that brings back memories of the past.

*English translations are provided in parentheses ().

“Vamos a decir (Let's say)

Esto es el final (This is the end)

Nada es como antes (Nothing is like before)

Nada es como era (Nothing is as it was)

Quiero dejarlo (I want to leave it)

Quiero dejarlo (I want to leave it)”

Lyrics Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos

The song is filled with emotions and questions about the world, and it feels like a farewell to a previous life with no knowledge of what comes next.

Verano, la Lluvia (summer, rain)

¿A dónde? ¿Qué buscas?(Where to? What are you looking for?)

Tesoro, que importa (Treasure, what does it matter?)

Ni modo, qué suerte (No way, how lucky)

La vida, la Muerte (Life, death)

¿A dónde? No importa (Where to? It doesn't matter)

Lyrics Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos

Life presents many different paths, but which do we take? The song is filled with contemplation as Mendoza Ramos sings about the summer's rainy days and questions the direction of their life.

Mendoza Ramos has explained that this song was written as a reflection of their surroundings and loneliness while living in Mexico City. Coincidently, they wrote the song after experiencing the loss of a close friend. The song was also written towards the end of the album's writing process, which could be why it evokes the feeling of a farewell. This makes it an interesting and effective way to launch an album, as it acts as a bridge from their previous work and environment to their new journey.

Hues

"Hues" is a song with some sweet bossa nova grooves! The light percussion and bright guitars give it a weightless feel. Indie musician Devendra Banhart is featured on the track, adding another layer to the hypnotic sound and giving the band some serious indie street cred. The lyrics seem to focus on a relationship that is ending.

"Hues, hues of loving you had led me to be blind

Don't worry, I might be wrong, don't worry, my love

Not worried lately, I'll be gone, won't change my mind"

Lyrics Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos

Mendoza Ramos and Banhart sing about giving up the relationship and no longer caring about what they shared.

"But it doesn't matter anymore, nor did it ever, mmm

We gave up somehow, I guess it all was

I guess it all was once before

But I don't care about those (go-golden)

Sweet mornings, sweet mornings (morning, go-golden morning)."

Lyrics Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos

There is also a sense of pride during the refrain, "I am no fool, baby," repeated toward the song's end. This adds another dimension to this couple, giving the impression that they are prophesizing the relationship won't work, so they might call it quits before the other breaks their heart. The quiet "ba-ba-ba-ba" in the song's background adds a sense of melancholy and doo-wop to the track.

Nunca

"Nunca," meaning 'never' when translated into English, is a delightful blend of mellow percussion comprising bongos and a steady drumbeat that will get you swaying to the rhythm. The bass groove, the chorus effect on the guitars, and subtle electric keys create a heavenly soundscape that can transport you to a state of pure bliss. The horn section that pops up at just the right moments takes the sound to a whole new level. However, despite the enchanting sound, the lyrics present a dark image.

Le doy gracias a la vida (I thank life)

Como lo hace mi madre, bien querida (Like my mother does, my dear)

Ojalá, ojalá, así yo moriré, y (I hope, I hope, so I will die, and)

Con flores tiradas por encima (With flowers thrown on top)

Bien cubiertas con la hierba de su jardín (Well covered with grass from your garden)

Muy rebelde y con esto, estaba el asesino (Very rebellious and with this, there was the murderer)

Una historia hermosa y fantástica (A beautiful and fantastic story)

Lyrics Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos

The lyrics depict someone who lacks confidence and carries painful and confusing memories. In an interview with the music blog BrooklynVegan, Mendoza Ramos explained that the song is written for their mother, who despite enduring hardships, always maintained an innocent and loving perspective on life. The beautiful sound juxtaposed with the dark lyrics captures both the light and dark perspectives that Mendoza Ramos' mother held.

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

This cover of the Hank Williams song may seem out of place on the album's tracklist, but upon closer inspection, the lyrics fit perfectly with the introspective and lonely themes of the album.

Sonically, it feels like a companion to "Eight," with its minimal production and focus on isolated vocals. However, this song is even more isolated, with added ambient sounds. It conveys a profound sense of sadness and serves as the "dark night of the soul" for the album. The inclusion of sounds of birds chirping makes the song more immersive, transporting the listener to the outdoors in a limbo-like state as Mendoza Ramos sings about the loneliness they observe in the world.

"Hear that lonesome whippoorwill

He sounds too blue to fly

The midnight train is whining low

I'm so lonesome, I could cry"

Lyrics Source: Musixmatch

Lyrics by: Hank Williams Sr.

Closing Thoughts

This album definitely blew me away, and I'm excited to dive deeper into Y La Bamba's catalog and explore more of their music and evolution as a band. If you enjoy indie music that has a blend of psychedelic and folk elements, I highly recommend checking out their work! I highlighted some of the tracks I think give a good overview of the record, but there are plenty more excellent songs and themes to explore on the album.

One of the reasons I've grown to love this group is the diversity and perspective they bring to the indie scene. In a scene that's often dominated by male and white artists, I love seeing a group from the Latinx community breaking through and making waves.

Have you heard of Y La Bamba? If so, what are your thoughts on their music? I'd love to hear from you in the comments! And if you have any other recommendations for bands similar to Y La Bamba, please let me know.

Thanks for reading!

Favorite Tracks:

“Eight”

“Collapse”

“I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry”

“Nunca”

“Hues”

Score

10 Luchas out of 10 La Bambas

Listen to the album here: