Drexler Returns to Roots: Candombe Inspires New Album 'Taracá'

Jorge Drexler's latest album, 'Taracá,' marks a significant return to his Uruguayan roots after three decades living abroad. This 11-track project, released on March 13, 2026, is intrinsically linked to candombe, a traditional Uruguayan music and dance form. The album organically grew from Drexler's desire to reconnect with his homeland, particularly coinciding with his father's death.

Drexler describes 'Taracá' as an album of mourning that paradoxically possesses a clear celebratory nature, designed for the body and for dancing. He explains that grief can manifest in unpredictable ways, and singing offers solace. The album was primarily recorded in Uruguay, with additional work done in Puerto Rico and Spain.

'Taracá' serves as a bridge, connecting generations, geographies, styles, and time. It showcases collaborations with a range of artists, including Puerto Rican star Young Miko, Uruguayan musicians like Rueda de Candombe and Américo Young, the murga group Falta y Resto, guitarist Julio Cobeli, and Spanish cantaora Ángeles Toledano. The production involved notable figures such as Lucas Piedra Cueva and Carles 'Campi' Campón. An example of its bridging nature is the track '¿Qué Será Que Es?', a Spanish adaptation of a Brazilian classic.