Esotérica Tropical, the Latin alternative project of singer-songwriter María José Montijo, debuted this month with a self-titled album described as a collection of love letters to Puerto Rico from the artist’s current home in Oakland. Connecting one homeland to the other, the songs are buoyant, fresh, nourishing, gentle, and jubilant, reflecting the artist’s aim to transform trauma into art. With two decades of experience across a wide range of healing practices—including tai-chi and qi-gong practice, meditation, traditional medicine, and acupuncture—Montijo’s music is infused with intention and spirit.
From the words and sound of the first song “Despierta” (“Wake Up”), for example, the artist offers up gratitude for the sun, the sea, friends, her body, and breath. Then comes “Huracán” (“Hurricane”), addressing “colonialism, vulture capitalism, and femicide” in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the devastating Category 5 hurricane that struck Puerto Rico in 2017. It’s a singular work by a budding artist, creatively blending Latin rhythms and indie electronic stylings in collaboration with many other musicians, including Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards on “Realismo Mágico.”
