Pepe Aguilar on life’s cosmic lessons and the new sound he’s rocking

As a fervent admirer of Pepe Aguilar and his illustrious career, I find it utterly captivating to witness such a seasoned artist delve into uncharted territories with his latest album “Que Llueva Tequila”. The album’s blend of traditional Mexican music with rock ‘n’ roll undertones is nothing short of remarkable.

It’s no surprise, given the challenging period he’s going through, that seasoned Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar would choose this moment to produce the most reflective and ambitious album of his career. Art often flourishes in the face of turmoil and unpredictability.

Speaking over Zoom, Aguilar shares that “Que Llueva Tequila” is the album that most reflects my personality. This beautiful and melancholic collection of Mexican love songs, infused with rock ‘n’ roll undertones that border on experimentation, was released this summer to widespread critical praise, but streaming numbers have been somewhat lackluster.

He shares, “For the first time, I’ve explored aspects of rock and psychedelia that are uncommon in mariachi music. This album was something I felt compelled to create, and I’m satisfied with the outcome. However, I don’t pretend not to know that streaming platforms might not be overly eager to include these songs on their playlists.” He chuckles heartily, hinting at a touch of skepticism.

At the age of 56, Pepe Aguilar is highly esteemed as one of the leading conductors in contemporary Mexican music. Being the son of legendary figures from the golden era, Antonio Aguilar and actress Flor Silvestre, he belongs to a musical family that also features his daughter Ángela (age 20) and son Leonardo (age 25). Lately, Pepe and his offspring have been performing together on the Jaripeo Sin Fronteras tour, which combines elements of a concert with those of an equestrian show.

Natalia Lafourcade, a renowned singer-songwriter, shares that collaborating with Pepe on his ‘MTV Unplugged’ was one of the most rewarding experiences in her career. She was immediately struck not just by his exceptional artistic talent, but also by his profound humanity and compassion. Beyond being a symbol of regional Mexican music, Pepe is a unifying force that connects different generations. I feel fortunate to have contributed to his musical legacy — his zest for life remains an inspiration to us all.

In the ’90s, following a failed rock project with the band Equs, Aguilar shifted his focus towards Mexican music, establishing himself as a bold pioneer. On albums such as the timeless “Por Una Mujer Bonita,” he paved new paths by incorporating unconventional instrumentals. As a producer, he crafted songs on arrangements so delicate and luxurious that they seemed destined for a museum exhibit. Aguilar also gained immense popularity across the Americas with his refined vocal style reminiscent of 20th-century Mexico – a captivating fusion of joyful ranchera and melancholic bolero emotion.

However, the unpredictable realm of popular music often sees shifts, and that’s precisely what happened with Aguilar last year. He found himself embroiled in a short-lived Twitter feud with the rising talent Natanael Cano, who expressed disapproval towards the raw new wave of corridos tumbados. Recently, his daughter Ángela has been making headlines due to her marriage to the contentious singer Christian Nodal. And after spending many years in Los Angeles, the Aguilar family decided to relocate to Houston, their home state.

He expresses that the shift was unexpected yet essential for them. They had grown accustomed to the chilly vibe of Los Angeles and yearned for a change. What they found here took them by surprise – it felt comfortable beyond their expectations. For now, they are content, but they might find themselves back in L.A. someday.

In various aspects, ‘Que Llueva Tequila’ expresses Aguilar’s emotional response to the events unfolding in his surroundings.

He mentions, “This seems to be the seventh or eight time I undergo a total transformation,” he states. “It’s a fresh start; a novel approach to my actions.

Similar to the timeless charm of classic rock it’s inspired from, ‘Que Llueva Tequila’ requires attentive listening. The gentle beginning of ‘Corazón a Medio Día’ is reminiscent of a comforting accordion melody, but hidden within its heavenly finale are electric guitar tones akin to Pink Floyd. The opening arena-rock feel of ‘Hasta Que Me Duermo’ escalates into something grandiose when Aguilar unleashes the epic chorus about intense heartbreak – a moment that can be likened to progressive ranchera music. Some songs were penned by longtime collaborator Enrique Guzmán Yáñez, while others are from Pablo Preciado, a renowned singer-songwriter from the Mexican pop group Matisse.

He’s quite excited about it, suggesting that perhaps we’ve stumbled onto something unique,” he says. “The music industry is often seen as just a money-making game, where everyone follows the crowd and experimental records rarely break through. But now that anything can be part of a song – even explicit language – why not explore these new soundscapes and see what unfolds?

It’s apparent that Aguilar is criticizing the uncensored, boastful themes of tumbled corridos, including their depictions of sex and drug use. I find myself chuckling as I admit my appreciation for the rough, contemporary Mexican music.

He explains that he prefers not to use profanity in his music or glorify drug dealers, and also mentions that he has no interest in musicals. However, this doesn’t make him strange or overly critical. Instead, he is glad that Mexican artists are gaining global recognition, and now, the door is open for everyone in the artistic community.

Aguilar’s children can be considered as part of the latest trend, if we look at it generational-wise. Being a father of grown-up kids, he has the wisdom to keep his distance from the harmful maze of paparazzi and the malicious comments on social media.

In his thoughts, he muses that life brings us unique lessons and our educational journeys are individually tailored. He views himself as a small yet integral part in the grand cosmic design. At 56 years old, he notes that his children have grown into independent adults, responsible for their decisions and their repercussions. As parents, he believes our role has concluded – we shift from active participants to passive observers. It’s natural to worry about them, but letting go of preconceived notions about how things should be is crucial. Accepting this change has been challenging yet empowering.

Reflections on life’s deeper questions might be responsible for the wistful, sad tone pervading the tracks in “Que Llueva Tequila” – a perspective that lends emotion to his performance.

He explains, “Music serves as a relief valve for me.” (Not implying I’m a victim – far from it!) However, I often find myself contemplating life’s injustices and deep sorrow, and there certainly is an abundance of that these days. Every artist has their purpose, and mine is singing about sadness. Someone needs to tackle the hard tasks.

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2024-09-17 04:01