All Songs Considered – Alt.Latino: The Beauty of Simplicity

Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Felix Contreras & Ana Maria Sayer (NPR Music)

Episode Overview

This episode of Alt.Latino focuses on the “beauty of simplicity” in modern Latin music. Hosts Felix Contreras and Ana Maria Sayer sift through a backlog of exciting new releases, sharing tracks that exemplify how minimalist arrangements, strong lyricism, and deep cultural roots shape some of the most intriguing contemporary Latin sounds. The episode explores music by up-and-coming artists and legends alike, making space for stories about lineage, collaboration, and the evolution of Latin genres.

“The beauty’s in the simplicity.” – Felix Contreras, [12:03]

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

Clearing Out the Musical "Mailbag"

• Busy Season:
  Ana and Felix recount an exceptionally hectic time, with many music releases stacking up as the year winds down.
  • “I have such a mountain of music... There’s such a pile up of amazing [releases].” – Ana Maria Sayer, [01:45]
• Setting the Stage:
  The episode’s premise is likened to clearing out old-school mailbags (inspired by Felix’s postman father), but stacked with CDs and digital submissions.
  • “Mailbags? That’s old school... My dad used to be a postman.” – Felix Contreras & Ana Maria Sayer, [02:10]

1. Rath Hersh – “Musas en Me”

• Artist Introduction:
  Rath Hersh, 20, blends masterful songwriting with a minimalist touch, impressing legendary figures like Jorge Drexler and Armando Manzanero.
  • “The lyricism of these songs is like these beautiful, simple, lovely melodies...” – Ana Maria Sayer, [03:21]
• Highlighted Lyric:
  “Solo quiero jugar con tu colección de palabras bonitas.” – Rath Hersh, as quoted by Ana Maria, [03:45] ("I just want to play with your beautiful collection of words.")
• Felix’s Take:
  The arrangements and melodies evoke ‘90s Argentine rock, brought to life with delicate songwriting and sophisticated production.
  • “The simplicity is so intriguing... It adds to the simplicity of that arrangement.” – Felix Contreras, [06:02]
• A Young Artist's Craft:
  Despite his youth, Rath Hersh already displays “incredible lyricism and really simple, yet captivating melodies” that promise a bright future.

Notable Track(s): "Musas en Me" (title track), "Quin Pensaria"
Timestamps: Segment begins [02:30], Felix reaction [06:02]

2. Ile – “Como Las Canto Yo”

• A Modern Torch Singer:
  Felix shares a track by Puerto Rican vocalist Ile (formerly of Calle 13), marveling at her command of bolero and tropicália sounds.
  • “This sounds so, like, I don’t know, 40s, 50s torch singer bolero... I’m all in.” – Felix Contreras, [08:45]
• Vocal Dynamism:
  Ana discusses Ile’s adaptability and purpose-driven approach, reflecting on her journey from Calle 13 to evocative solo work.
  • “Her strength, first and foremost, forever and always, is the dynamism of her voice.” – Ana Maria Sayer, [09:39]
• Production Praise:
  Producer Ismael Cancel crafts a “sonic palette” that lets Ile’s expressive vocals shine, making the record “drop dead gorgeous.”

Notable Track: "Si Te Contara"
Timestamps: Felix intro [07:20], Ana reflection [09:39]

3. Tristan – “Voyage” (Madrid)

• Innovation from Madrid:
  Ana introduces Spanish producer Tristan, whose experimental arrangements and playful minimalism break new ground.
  • “It’s congas in space. Literally.” – Ana Maria Sayer, [12:56]
• Musical References:
  Felix draws creative parallels to ‘80s pop punk and new wave bands (like the B-52s), describing the “stark, direct simplicity” that defines Tristan’s work.
  • “The idea of being so simple and so stark and so direct to the point was the point... and I completely missed it [in the past].” – Felix Contreras, [14:35]
• Diversity on the Record:
  Ana urges listeners to experience "the journey" across the whole album (“Tristan Aurora Conrello”), highlighting its stylistic diversity.
  • “Please listen to this... there’s like 25,000 other sounds on this album.” – Ana Maria Sayer, [14:56]

Notable Track(s): "Voyage," "Artiko"
Timestamps: Segment starts [11:29], discussion peaks [12:56–14:56]

4. Venisonics feat. Pajua – “La Soledad”

• Exploring Diaspora:
  Felix spotlights Venisonics, a project by Miami-based Andres Ponce, featuring Paulina Sotomayor (Pajua), blending Afro-Latin percussion and electronic textures.
  • “It’s just this flowering of African influence in the music combined with... dance stuff, electronic stuff.” – Felix Contreras, [19:10]
• Cultural Reflections:
  Both hosts reflect on the evolving openness within Latin music to embrace and reinterpret Afro-diasporic roots.
  • “They take those sounds and they’re like... let me create [an] exacting conga thing, but then you just replace it with an electronic beat.” – Ana Maria Sayer, [20:56]
• Album Preview:
  Upcoming album "Jaspe" (due November 7).

Notable Track: "La Soledad"
Timestamps: Segment starts [18:09], Ana’s analysis at [20:56]

5. Meme del Real – “La Montaña Encendida”

• A Legendary Debut:
  Ana introduces the long-awaited solo debut from Meme del Real of Café Tacuba, highlighting “Estaba Sentado.”
  • “Mehme, all these years since, has never released a solo project until now. Lucky us.” – Ana Maria Sayer, [22:30]
• Production Geek-Out:
  Felix admires the intricate production, driven by Meme’s own talents and legendary producer Gustavo Santaolalla.
  • “It’s impossible not to geek out over the production because Mim is an incredible producer.” – Felix Contreras, [23:56]
• Technical Dive:
  The song structure features time signatures that create subtle tension, described in detail by Felix.
  • “What they’re doing with time is magical... it creates friction underneath a simple lyric.” – Felix Contreras, [26:23]
• Personal Anecdote:
  Ana shares a story about Meme’s appearance at Guitarrazos in Mexico City, playing a banda version of "Eres" and illustrating his deep connection to Mexican musical tradition.
  • “His core is that it’s, like, corridos, it’s banda, it’s the heart of the city, and also Mexico at large.” – Ana Maria Sayer, [27:37]

Notable Track(s): "Estaba Sentado," "Embeses"
Timestamps: Segment begins [22:13], deep dive at [26:00–27:37]

6. Bomba Estereo feat. Carlos Vives – “La Samaria”

• Celebrating Santa Marta:
  The final shared track is a tribute to Colombia’s oldest city, Santa Marta, and its 500th anniversary, delivered by two of its most beloved contemporary artists.
  • “This is a song that celebrates the city of Santa Marta, which is the hometown of both Bomba Estéreo vocalist Lisa and Carlos Vives.” – Felix Contreras, [29:14]
• Legacy & Impact:
  Felix reflects on the enduring influence of Bomba Estéreo in the Colombian and global Latin music scenes, recalling the band’s early days on the podcast.
  • “Their impact, their influence is it's immeasurable.” – Felix Contreras, [30:57]

Notable Track: "La Samaria"
Timestamps: Segment starts [29:14]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Simplicity’s Power:
  “I’m on a simple arrangement kick this week. No. And the beauty’s in the simplicity.”
  – Felix Contreras, [12:03]

• On Vocal Talent and Purpose:
  “She’s someone who is always at the forefront of all of the issues of being Puerto Rican, that she would then go seeking in the files of old sounds for the way that she could properly express herself.”
  – Ana Maria Sayer, [09:39]

• On Reclaiming Heritage:
  “It’s just this flowering of African influence in the music combined with... dance stuff, electronic stuff. You know, I’m always there for the drummer.”
  – Felix Contreras, [19:10]

Episode Flow & Energy

The episode brims with excitement over musical discovery, friendly banter, and quick-witted observations about genre, heritage, and artistry. Felix and Ana infuse criticism, anecdotes, and laughter while spotlighting both established legends and bold new voices, always returning to the theme of the magic in musical simplicity.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:16] – Show opens; Mailbag/backlog setup
• [02:30] – Rath Hersh: “Musas en Me” segment
• [07:20] – Ile: “Como Las Canto Yo” and bolero resurgence
• [11:29] – Tristan: Spanish producer’s avant-pop
• [18:09] – Venisonics feat. Pajua: Afro-Latin percussion/electronic
• [22:13] – Meme del Real: Solo debut, stories of legacy
• [29:14] – Bomba Estereo feat. Carlos Vives: “La Samaria” tribute
• [31:59] – Closing remarks and future mailbag teasers

Recommended for…

• Fans seeking under-the-radar Latin music releases
• Listeners curious about how simplicity, production choices, and cultural lineage inform modern Latin genres
• Anyone wanting artist stories, production breakdowns, and vibrant personality-packed discussion