Austin, TX-based art-pop band Alma Muñeca drop off new single “Anhelo“, off their just released, otherworldly EP Deseo un Brillo. The EP, written in Spanish, is an empowering search for self-confidence, peace and healthy, fulfilling relationships.
“Anhelo”, sinks into breakup tension and desire. Allegra shares, “There’s lots of tension in this song, it’s like a personal phone call to your ex. It’s the typical moment where you are going through a break up but you still strongly desire to be intimate with your ex, not caring about any consequences.”
On the band’s process on the lively new single, Grey shares, “Generally, our process begins because some modular synth blurts out some noise that catches my attention, ‘Anhelo’ was no different. The song’s wonky instrumental hook was the first thing that was written followed by the bouncy bassline. It lived in an ambiguous state for months.” After playing live, they discovered what made their sound theirs and the appropriate next steps. “We were forced to brush the dust off when we realized we were one song short in order to play a 30 minute live set. By that time, we realized that a lot of our sound hinged, and excelled, on a simple four on the floor dance beat. Once we added that kick drum pattern, all of the songs’ dissonant and experimental textures came to life.”
Written during a bout of heartbreak, Deseo un Brillo, produced by producer and band member Ernesto Grey (Font, Farmer’s Wife, Loveme, The Opera), dives into desire, love and heartbreak–the dynamics between being on and off with someone as well as familial heartbreak and disappointment. Over five tracks, it chronicles the intricate difficulties of navigating nuanced relationships.
Lead singer Cocó Allegra explains, “How can I feel so passionate and loving about someone yet I also feel so much confusion, anger and sadness about them too? Keeping yourself hopeful in hopeless moments, freezing time with my lyrics and sharing it with the world, hoping someone out there can find comfort in them. I wrote this trying to find answers to questions, trying to heal and at the same time manifest self confidence.”
Alma Muñeca is a four-piece art pop group based in Austin, TX, led by Panamanian immigrant Cocó Allegra and produced by Ernesto Grey along with Matt Russell and Wade Stephens. With their debut project out later this month, the group pairs honest stories of love and heartbreak with experimental, synth-filled production and dreamy vocals featuring lyrics sung in her native Spanish language. Through their live performances, the band aims to uplift the Latin and queer communities.
