Buscabulla is a band formed by Luis Alfredo Del Valle and Raquel Berrios, who are married.[1] Their music has been described as tropical synth pop,[2] electro-pop,[3] indie pop,[4] electro-Caribbean,[5] and experimental.[6] They incorporate Latin music styles such as salsa, reggaeton, bachata, merengue and calypso.[7]
Buscabulla | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York City/Puerto Rico |
| Genres | Latin, electronic, pop |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | Kitsuné, Ribbon Music |
| Members | Luis Alfredo Del Valle Raquel Berrios |
| Website | https://www.buscabulla.com/ |
History
editLuis Alfredo Del Valle and Raquel Berrios were both born in Puerto Rico but lived for many years in New York City where they met in 2011 [5] and formed the band Buscabulla. They were based in Brooklyn for 6 years before returning to Puerto Rico.[8]
Their first EP, named Buscabulla, and produced by English musician Dev Hynes, was released on Kitsuné, while their second EP, named EP II, was self-released.[9] On this second EP they collaborated with American musician Helado Negro for the track "Frío".[2] They also went on tour with Helado Negro in 2016.[10] Buscabulla were included in Rolling Stone's list of 10 new artists you need to know in 2017.[11]
After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, they decided to return to the island.[12] This inspired their album, Regresa, which explored the emotional impact of returning to a devastated home.[4] Regresa was released on May 8, 2020 [13] on Ribbon Music with additional production by Patrick Wimberly.[14] It includes collaborations with Nick Hakim, legendary Puerto Rican singer Nydia Caro[10] and Helado Negro.[2] It was described by Pitchfork as "joyful and melancholic",[2] by NME as "a magnificent rumination on those emotions" (of rage and hope), and by NPR as "swoonily alluring" and "freighted with melancholy". Regresa was included as No. 21 in NPR's list of the 50 best albums of 2020 [3] The Chicago Reader said that Regresa offered "sophisticated reflections on anxiety, estrangement, and returning home".[15] Regresa peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums chart.[16]
In 2022, they collaborated with Bad Bunny on the song "Andrea" from his album Un Verano Sin Ti.
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- Regresa (2020)
Extended plays
edit- Buscabulla (2014)
- EP II (2017)
References
edit- ^ "Buscabulla Is Using Music to Reclaim and Protect Puerto Rico". Interview Magazine. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d Matthew Ismael Ruiz (12 May 2020). "Buscabulla Regresa". Pitchfork. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ a b "The 50 Best Albums Of 2020:". npr. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Buscabulla On 'Regresa,' A Debut Album About Returning To A Devastated Home". npr. 3 May 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ a b Berenice Bautista (3 September 2020). "Buscabulla offers electro-Caribbean music for the pandemic". Taiwan News. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "Buscabulla Pays Tribute to Iconic Nydia Caro in Their Latest Video". BELatina. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ Allison P. Davis (30 June 2017). "Buscabulla Is Teaching an Advanced Course in Latin Music". The Cut. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ^ Isaac Von Hallberg. "DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES, BUSCABULLA CONFIDENTLY MOVES BACK TO PUERTO RICO". flaunt. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "Buscabulla". npr music. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Buscabulla on Making Club Music Through Catastrophe". Paper. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "10 New Artists You Need to Know: February 2017". Rolling Stone. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "In 'Vámono,' Buscabulla Dream of a Bright Future in Puerto Rico". Rolling Stone. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "Buscabulla – 'Regresa' review: Puerto Rican duo's homecoming laced with slick grooves and sparks of hope". nme.com. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "Buscabulla Regresa". Piccadilly Records. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ Catalina Maria Johnson (15 May 2020). "Buscabulla's tropical soul vignettes distill the mixed blessings of returning home". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "Buscabulla". Billboard. Retrieved 12 February 2021.