Page 14 - December18

M U S I C
M U S I C R E V I E W S

Written By: Paul Mendez

10 M O N L A F E R T E
N O R M A

T R A C K S T O C H E C K O U T :
R O N R O N E O , Q U É D A T E E S T A
N O C H E , F U N E R A L
Chilean singer Mon Laferte is the kind of artist
that wears her heart on her sleeves. Her latest
album, Norma, is a work that shows how this
quality spans a wide variety of Latin sounds and
styles. Throughout the ten songs in this album,
released in November, there are all types of Latin
sounds. You can hear mambo, Spanish guitars,
cumbia, salsa and influences from artists like Celia
Cruz, Los Panchos, and even Shakira.
At first glance, Laferte seems like she would easily fit into a 1920s speakeasy which might
mean something as we’re coming up on the start of a similar decade. Beyond that,
Laferte is able to take her listeners through a tour of the wide variety of sounds that have
led to the creation of this album. Aside from all the influences and the diversity shown
between tracks, this is still Mon Laferte’s album, and she shows that by using her voice
and her mastery of Latin music to adapt to each style.

There’s a quiet dominance in Latin music. The way I understand it -- when done well -- it
gives the listener the ability to respond emotionally, recall past memories, and have an
irresistible urge to dance. By that standard, Norma is a good Latin album. More than that,
this is a good album that showcases musical talent in a variety of ways. Norma has
sounds that embody the history of various cultures and artists with major influences of
their own. At this point, Mon Laferte doesn’t seem to have quite the following she
deserves, but hopefully, after this album, she’ll attract a wider audience and continue to
influence a musical audience in the way only a Latin artist can.

You can hear Mon Laferte’s Norma on the way work, in the shower, and even when you
are finishing up your chores throughout the house this weekend. For loyal Laferte
listeners, this is a good album to find your way into Latin sounds you may not have heard
before under the guise of her music. For those that don’t know Laferte, this is a good
introduction to what she can do throughout the Latin spectrum of music.

Mon Laferte’s Norma quietly works its way to a 10 out of 10 because of her ability to pay
respects to those before her while never minimizing her own talents and unique sound.

14| TNE MAGAZINE | DEC 2018