Ana Tijoux's '97 EP: A Love Letter to Friends & Resilience

The Franco-Chilean hip-hop artist Ana Tijoux has released a new EP, '97, a collaboration with her longtime partner DJ Dacel. The title commemorates the year they first met, and the EP was created during an intense four-hour session in Chile. This project diverges from Tijoux's usual politically charged music, instead focusing on themes of friendship and resilience.

The production on '97 embraces an old-school aesthetic, featuring elements like record scratches and jazz trumpets. Tijoux's distinctive flow grounds the EP, which is described as an invitation to rest and a 'love letter to the homies.' It’s intended as a soundtrack for conversation and reflection, rather than for direct action.

Tracks like "Vinos y Vinilos" pay tribute to absent friends and musical heroes, while "Desapego" explores emotional freedom after a breakup. Despite touching on themes of mourning and pain, Tijoux maintains her signature optimism and commitment to change. The EP also includes "Apagón," a track that critiques artists who avoid addressing current events.

Tijoux, known for her outspokenness, previously took a break from music for about a decade, during which she raised children and grieved the loss of a sister. Her return to music with the 2024 EP 'Vida coincided with global attention on the Gaza Strip, prompting her to wear a keffiyeh during a performance.