Jenny And The Mexicats

Jenny and the Mexicats formed in London in 2009, bringing together Australian vocalist Jenny Ball with Mexican musicians Juan Manuel Allende and David Gutiérrez. Their sound pulls from traditional Mexican son jarocho rhythms, with Allende playing jarana and bajo sexto while Gutiérrez handles percussion on instruments like the cajón. Ball's voice floats over these arrangements, giving songs like 'Labios' and 'Llueve En El Mar' a light, melodic quality that feels both familiar and slightly unexpected.

Their self-titled debut came out in 2011, followed by 'Ome' in 2013. That second album included 'Labios,' which became something of an international hit for them. They've since released 'La Revuelta' in 2015 and 'Mar Adentro' in 2018, maintaining a steady pace of recording and touring. Some listeners have questioned whether the group's approach amounts to cultural appropriation, though the band members have described their work as an honest engagement with Mexican musical traditions they care about.

You can hear their blend of folk, jazz, and pop elements in tracks like 'Verde Mas Allá' and 'Duele Al Caminar,' where the Mexican instrumentation provides a rhythmic foundation for Ball's clear, unhurried singing. They've performed at events like the BBC Proms and Glastonbury Festival, and have worked with artists including Lila Downs and Natalia Lafourcade. Their music doesn't try to overwhelm you; it just settles in comfortably, like something you might hear in a café or at a small outdoor stage on a warm evening.