Malegría: Grief and Happiness in Fusion Sound

The Los Angeles-based artist Reyna Tropical, also known as Fabi Reyna, has released her debut full-length album, "Malegría." This work delves into themes of personal grief and the enduring sadness associated with diaspora. The album's title, "Malegría," is a neologism derived from Spanish words for 'bad' and 'happiness,' capturing a complex emotional spectrum.

"Malegría" is an imaginative fusion of various musical styles, including Peruvian chicha, Mexican zapateado, and Congolese soukous. These genres are interwoven with Afro-Colombian percussion, creating a rich and layered soundscape. The album serves as a meditation on diasporic identity and resilience, featuring inventive arrangements and a tranquil atmosphere.

Reyna incorporates voice memos from conversations with her late bandmate, Nectali "Sumohair" Díaz, providing an intimate glimpse into their creative process and the album's overarching themes. Field recordings of nature also add a unique texture, reflecting a reconnection with ancestral lands and the natural world.

The album also confronts difficult aspects of Latin American culture, such as colorist racial ideologies. Collaborations with artists like Busy Twist and Franklin Tejedor, whose origins trace back to the first free Black village of the Americas, add further depth and authenticity to the sonic tapestry. "Malegría" is praised for its exploratory impulses and its ability to evoke a sense of tropical futurist magic.