Watch ‘Duele’, The First Taster of Bomba Estéreo’s Upcoming New Album

An ever growing list of hyphenated compounds seems the emergent trend when attempting to define outlandish Colombian fiesteros, Bomba Estéreo; electro-tropical, psychedelic-cumbia, folklore-electronica, to cite but a few. Suffice to say the group – curated by Simon Mejía and fronted by the unmistakable vehemence of Liliana (Li) Saumet – have been moving the goalposts in various Latin American genres for quite some time now and show little sign of slowing.

Today, the band release their new track, “Duele”, which will feature on their upcoming album, due to be released later in the year. Recorded in Saumet’s hometown of Santa Marta, “Duele” is our first opportunity to see how the much-loved party starters intend to follow 2015’s grammy-nominated, Amanecer.

Resolute as ever in their rejection of any moulds that may have been cast for them over their career to date, their latest work breaks in and out of an Arabian stupor. Played on the flauta de millo that is often associated with traditional cumbia, the bazaar-esque sounds are steadied against an up-tempo, electronic beat that listeners will be somewhat more familiar with.

In the accompanying video, visual symbolism tactfully aligns itself with the track’s subject matter; the pain of heartbreak and overcoming it. From the mundane reality of solitary grocery shopping, it transports to the vast lonely expanses of a desert, lined with objects ranging from the surreal, through nostalgia and culminating in self-reflection.

Currently, on a packed international tour, Bomba Estéreo supported Arcade Fire at Malahide Castle in Ireland on Wednesday and will head with the Canadians to Cologne, Germany on Sunday. They return to the US in July for shows across the country, before more headline dates throughout Europe (UPDATE: they have now been confirmed to play London’s KOKO on Tuesday September 12th). After which they will return to South America for dates in Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina in September.

“Champeta, reggae music, cumbia, folklore” cries Saumet on the hit, “Fuego”, that helped explode the pioneers of contemporary Colombian music into the international fold a few years back. It seems that for as long as Bomba Estéreo’s assault of conformity continues, that list will very likely keep growing.

Did someone say bazaar-cumbia?

Follow Sounds and Colours: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Mixcloud / Soundcloud / Bandcamp

Subscribe to the Sounds and Colours Newsletter for regular updates, news and competitions bringing the best of Latin American culture direct to your Inbox.

Share: