Onism is a word coined by author and poet John Konieg that refers to the bitter realization of how little of the world you will ever truly experience.
Sadly, with the thousands of cultures alive today, most of us will only be a part of one, or perhaps a few if we are lucky.
Driven by this realization, I’ve embarked on a journey to immerse myself in as many cultures as humanly possible. What better way to do so than through a medium similar across every culture–Music.
Today, this journey takes us to the vibrant and colorful heart of Mexico.
Feliz Día de la Independencia, México (Happy Indepenedence Day, Mexico).
What do you know about Mexico?
Mexico, the 13th largest country by area and 10th most populated country in the world is located in the southern part of North America. Thanks to its significant trade relationship with the U.S. and the large Mexican-American population, the Mexican culture is undoubtedly one of the more accessible and influential cultures for us to appreciate.
A little about Mexico’s Independence
Mexico’s Independence Day, celebrated September 16th, is a national holiday that marks the start of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. It celebrates the moment when Father Miguel Hidalgo, a Roman Catholic priest and leader of the independence movement, rang the church bells in Dolores and issued a heartfelt plea for freedom from Spanish rule “Grito de Dolores,” which directly translates to “cry for Dolores.”
Today, the occasion is celebrated with huge parades, colorful festivities and the iconic “Grito de Dolores,” where the President of Mexico delivers a stirring speech from the National Palace, followed by a vibrant display of fireworks.
Now time for the music
To celebrate Mexico’s independence, I’ve selected three contemporary Mexican songs that I found the most memorable.
“Malbec” by Humbe and Reik
“Malbec” brings a fresh, modern sound with its fusion of pop and alternative R&B. Named after a type of red wine, the song carries a rich, sultry mood perfect for late-night vibes.
I don’t know what it is about Humbe, but I listened to about eight of his songs during my research and every single one of them sounded great. It was a challenge to choose just one of his tracks, but “Malbec” stood out because of its faster tempo, which adds an energetic rhythm that keeps it quite engaging.
Additionally, the song features Reik, who I found to have a beautiful soothing voice. Have you ever heard someone sing and just couldn’t help but stop to listen? Reik’s voice has that exact effect. This collaboration adds another layer of depth to the song, making it not only catchy but also emotionally compelling. The combination of Humbe’s innovative sound and Relk’s smooth delivery makes “Malbec” stand out.
“Eutanasia” by Bruses
“Eutanasia” by Bruses has a gentle, acoustic vibe, blending folk elements with modern indie pop. The word “Eutanasia” translates to euthanasia which originates from the Greek words “good,” and “death.”
This translation matches the solemn mood of the song. Bruses’ smooth vocals create a calming atmosphere, making it easy to get lost in the melody. Honestly, this song felt like the perfect rainy-day tune. I liked it so much that it made it to my rainy days playlist. If you enjoyed this song, be sure to check out “Dueles Tan Bien” by Bruses.
“Como Lo Hice Yo” by Matisse & Carin Leon
“Como Lo Hice Yo” by Matisse & Carin Leon grabbed my attention the fastest — that’s why it made it to the top of my list.
As I referenced in my Malaysian Independence Day blog post, I grew up watching a lot of telenovelas, and the highlight of a lot of them was hearing their theme songs playing loudly every evening.
I still know many of those theme songs by heart because of how catchy and memorable they were, and “Como Lo Hice Yo“ gave me that same feeling of instant connection.
The song’s sweeping, emotional chorus and heartfelt lyrics about love and heartbreak immediately reminded me of those telenovela themes. It’s the kind of song that captures your attention and stays with you, much like those iconic telenovela moments. The blend of Matisse’s smooth, contemporary vocals with Carin Leon’s deep, soulful norteño style creates a beautiful contrast that mirrors the dramatic tension you often find in telenovelas—love, loss, longing, all wrapped up in music.
Exploring the Mexican music scene truly was an awesome experience. I got to know a lot more about the country and its people, discovered a bunch of truly talented artists and had fun writing this article.
Exploring the Mexican music scene was an incredible experience. I learned more about the country and its people, and discovered a bunch of talented artists along the way. Plus, writing this article was a blast!
So, if you’re tired of the same old tunes, do yourself a favor and check out some Mexican artists. In a country so deeply connected to music, you know they’re doing it right.