With songs like “Revolución!” (Revolution!) and “Especulando” (Speculating), Nacional Records artist Camilo Lara, known as the Mexican Institute of Sound on stage, bluntly puts Mexico on blast with his new album titled “Politico.” 

With lyrics like “How much time will pass for things to get better, we’re all victims of a confiscated state, with a government involved in narco profits, in a nation with a wounded population,” M.I.S. is directly talking about the broken government in México.

In a time where México’s political climate has dramatically shifted, with newly bitterly contested presidential elections which resulted in the selection of Enrique Peña Nieto, PRI candidate (Institutional Revolutionary Party), and the ongoing violence due to México’s bloody drug violence, M.I.S. put out this album as a message to the world about the insecure era in Mexican politics. 

Although his lyrics are intense and intentionally written to inform the listener of the current situation in México, his songs are still vibrant and fun to listen to.

The high trumpet sounds and fast drum beats are all mixed with danceable electronic rhythms, highlighting the creative musical talent that accidently launched M.I.S.’ successful musical career back when Lara was simply creating holiday mixes for friends, and was later convinced to take his songs into the studio. 

His previous successful breakthrough albums, “Piñata” and “Soy Sauce,” are quite different to his newly released album. Both earlier CD’s highlighted the joyous Mexican culture and the lyrics were more colorful and cheerful.

“Politico” is the opposite, as it creates more of a political commentary on the Mexican government while also trying to ignite other Mexicans to do something about the current state of their country with songs like “Revolución!” that say, “To finish with drug dealing government officials is my only hobby.” 

“Politico” does have some lighthearted songs like “Se Baila Así” (Dance like this), which overflows with traditional cumbia beats and mambo sounds with a twist of soft rock and electronic.

“Ritmo Internacional” (International Rhythm) also features danceable cumbia melodies. Even though it’s a little less than two minutes long, it’s short and sweet and entertaining.

The new album also features the song "El Jefe" which was recently chosen as the theme to the new A&E television series about Mexican wrestling, "El Luchador" (The Wrestler). Mexican Institute of Sound’s music has also had a wide range of high-profile television and videogame uses, including HBO's "Entourage" & "Eastbound & Down," as well as "Californication" and videogames like EA Sports’ "FIFA" soccer series. 

The video for the song “México” took place in Mexico City’s legendary El Zócalo during massive youth demonstrations and features protesters during the #Soy132 movement. The video was directed by Jonas Cuaron, son of Alfonso Cuaron ("Y tu mamá también," "Children of Men," "Harry Potter"). 

 

Watch the video for "Mexico" below.

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