All Songs Considered: Alt.Latino – Sofia Kourtesis, Lucrecia Dalt, More

Episode Release Date: August 6, 2025

NPR's flagship music discovery podcast, All Songs Considered, hosted by Felix Contreras and Ana Maria Sayer, delves into the vibrant world of Alt.Latino in this episode. The hosts explore the latest works of prominent Latin artists, offering deep insights into their musical journeys, influences, and the evolving landscape of Latin music.

1. Exploring the Legacy of Harold López Nussa

The episode kicks off with Felix introducing Harold López Nussa, a pianist whose roots trace back to Havana. Alongside his brother Rui López Nussa on drums and Lucas Curtis on bass, Harold presents a rich blend of Cuban piano traditions intertwined with classical and Afro-Cuban influences.

Notable Discussion Points:

• Family Legacy: The track discussed was penned by Harold’s uncle, Hernan, highlighting the deep familial ties in his music. Harold shares, "This track was written by his uncle Hernan, very, very famous pianist in his own right" (02:11).

• Personal Connection: Integrating his grandfather's painting as the album cover, Harold emphasizes the enduring power of art, stating, "I realized once again the power that art has to endure beyond time" (02:45).

• Performance History: A reminder of Harold’s 2018 Tiny Desk Concert emphasizes his longstanding presence in the jazz scene.

2. Sofia Kourtesis: Bridging Peruvian Roots with Global Sounds

Ana Maria introduces Sofia Kourtesis and her new EP, Volver. Sofia, a Peruvian artist based in Germany, masterfully balances her vibrant Peruvian heritage with the disciplined rhythms of German music scenes.

Notable Discussion Points:

• Cultural Dichotomy: Ana Maria explains, "She really does this incredible job of representing not only sonically, both places, because you can really hear it all over" (05:13).

• Emotional Depth: Reflecting on Sofia’s Madres album, Ana Maria notes the brightness in her sound as a response to personal hardships, "she tries to seek joy in these darker times" (06:00).

• Featured Track – "Canela Pura": The collaboration with percussionist Miguel Bayumbrosio showcases a blend of traditional Zapateo rhythms with modern dance elements, preserving Afro-Peruvian and Afro-Andean musical heritage.

3. Lucrecia Dalt: Revolutionizing Vocal Expression

Felix shifts the focus to Lucrecia Dalt, a Colombian vocalist known for her experimental approach to music.

Notable Discussion Points:

• Vocal as Instrument: Felix states, "Lucretia Dalt falls into that category [of vocalists] with people like Lido... making the voice sound like a whole choir" (10:13).

• Collaborations and Influences: Lucrecia's work with Juana Molina and Camille Mandoki highlights her innovative methods of vocal layering and manipulation.

• Upcoming Album – A Danger to Ourselves: Featuring tracks like "Gaes" and "Kosara" with David Sylvian, the album promises avant-garde, spacey, and improvisational sounds that push genre boundaries.

Ana Maria adds, "It's really fascinating... the way that these artists use their voice and manipulate it and double track it and triple track it and make it just sound like a whole choir" (12:04).

4. Paula Prieto and Good to Know: A Fusion of Voices

Ana Maria brings attention to Paula Prieto, an Argentine singer, and her collaboration with Chilean artist Benjamin Walker to form the group Good to Know.

Notable Discussion Points:

• Spontaneous Collaboration: The duo’s 48-hour studio session resulted in the Good to Know EP, Good to Know, featuring the heartfelt track "October".

• Bilingual Expressiveness: Paula’s ability to switch seamlessly between Spanish and English adds depth to their music, with Ana Maria highlighting the "richness" of her Spanish vocals and the unique qualities of her English performances (20:15).

5. Gabriel Alegría: Celebrating Afro-Peruvian Heritage through Jazz

Felix introduces Gabriel Alegría, a trumpeter dedicated to spreading Afro-Peruvian music fused with jazz.

Notable Discussion Points:

• New Album – El Mooki: Released on August 15th, this album represents Alegría’s matured musical vision after relocating back to Lima, allowing him to tap into Peru's current musical pulse (24:32).

• Collaborative Synergy: The inclusion of saxophonist Laura Andrea Legia, whose compositions meditate on birth and artistic rebirth, adds a profound layer to the album.

Felix remarks, "This album is the most crystallized version of what that musical vision is for the entire band" (25:30).

6. Shifts in Regional Mexican Music: Nathan Elcano and Gabito Ballesteros

The latter part of the episode delves into significant changes within Regional Mexican Music, focusing on artists Nathan Elcano and Gabito Ballesteros.

Notable Discussion Points:

• Evolution of Corridos Tumbados: Nathan Elcano, hailed as the father of this genre, released "Porque la Demora," marking a departure from traditional narco corridos to incorporate elements like trap and reggaeton (29:10).

• Industry Pressures: The hosts discuss potential external pressures, including government crackdowns and visa issues, influencing artists to diversify their musical styles. Felix notes, "It's complicated... sonically, the production, everything is just so different" (30:02).

• Impact on Artistry: The shift raises questions about the future of the genre and the resilience of artists amidst socio-political challenges, with Ana Maria pondering, "What happens to the art?" (32:49).

Conclusion

This episode of All Songs Considered offers a comprehensive exploration of contemporary Latin music, highlighting how artists like Sofia Kourtesis, Lucrecia Dalt, Paula Prieto, and Gabriel Alegría are redefining genres and blending cultural influences. Additionally, the discussion on Regional Mexican Music underscores the dynamic interplay between artistry and external pressures, painting a vivid picture of the current and future state of Latin music.

Notable Quotes:

• Felix Contreras on Harold López Nussa: "This track was written by his uncle Hernan, very, very famous pianist in his own right" (02:11).
• Ana Maria Sayer on Sofia Kourtesis: "She tries to seek joy in these darker times" (06:00).
• Felix Contreras on Lucrecia Dalt: "Lucretia Dalt falls into that category with people like Lido... making the voice sound like a whole choir" (10:13).
• Ana Maria Sayer on bilingual expressiveness: "There's something about the richness to what she has in Spanish" (20:15).
• Felix Contreras on Gabriel Alegría’s album: "This album is the most crystallized version of what that musical vision is for the entire band" (25:30).
• Ana Maria Sayer on the future of corridos tumbados: "What happens to the art?" (32:49).

Produced by Noah Caldwell | Executive Producer: Soraya Muhammad

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